Matt. 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
In my opinion, this concept of denying oneself is the MOST fundamental and foundational principle of Christian living. It is much more than just a pattern of behavior. It is a way of life! And a process of thought! In fact, I think it must go even one step further. I think it must become one of our key elements of our spiritual DNA. What do I mean by spiritual DNA? DNA, from a physical standpoint, is the key component in the human body that defines WHO you are. So spiritual DNA then, is an analogy of describing what it is that makes us WHO we are spiritually. It is those characteristics that define HOW and WHY we do what we do individually. Denying oneself MUST be a characteristic of WHO we are. It must be the perspective from which we make EVERY spiritual decision. As God’s children, Jesus’ followers, and seekers of Heaven...Our mission is to do the will of God! Following God’s will is even required at the denial of our own will.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
So if doing the will of God is our sole objective, why is it that we fulfill his will so poorly or incompletely?Because there is a part of us that would rather please ourselves instead.
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
This passage says it all. Folks do not follow God as they should because we want to please ourselves. They want to do what is right in their OWN Eyes! But there are consequences for such a lifestyle.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
We certainly have the RIGHT as American citizens to do whatever we want. To behave in any manner that we choose, or set standards for living whatever lifestyle that we like. And therefore, we can do what ever seems right in our own eyes. BUT...that is clearly not the mindset that we are to have when we are FOLLOWERS of God. Instead we are to DENY THYSELF. Denying oneself is about setting aside my own wishes and beliefs and doing WHATEVER it is that God would desire of me. Regardless of the cost. Regardless of the area of our life. Notice a few areas of life that Jesus specifically mentions that we ought to deny ourselves:
1. Work/Job
Matt. 4:21-22 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (22) And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
I would not advocate for everyone to go immediately and quit their jobs. On the contrary. The Bible tells us that we need to work.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
But certainly we should NOT be more devoted to our jobs, bosses, income or lifestyles than we are to our Savior. Therefore, if there is something about our jobs that causes us not to be as faithful to God as we ought we need to deny ourselves of that job.
2. Material Goods
Matt. 8:19-20 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (20) And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Jesus was describing his life of minimalism and I think suggesting a comparable way of thinking for us as well. But again, it comes down to attitude and priorities.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul tells Timothy that it is a LOVE of or for money that is the “root of all evil”. And the same principle applies to all other materialistic items in our lives. We cannot put anything in front of serving our lord. Not our favorite pastimes, vacations, or any other thing.
3. Family
Matt. 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
All too often I have heard people make excuses for their unfaithfulness based upon family. But of all of the examples of denying self, tyhis one is the most clear and evident. If we love and somehow live in such a manner that puts our family above the one that died on the cross for our sins, Then Jesus says we are not worthy of him.
In whatever aspect of our life that we choose to discuss, We are to deny ourselves, Put aside our own desires, wants, and selfish ambitions, So that we might truly, completely, and earnestly fulfill the will of God.
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
12 Hours of Jesus is a community focused effort to teach the world more about Jesus. Our first event is May 10th in Radcliff Kentucky.
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward
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