Deny Yourself
November 30th 2008 19:39
Reading from Matthew16 today we learn a lesson that will make it easier to tell if you are ready to be a Christian. Matthew 16:24:
“If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Here is where the explanation comes in. I have heard many people say “it doesn’t matter if someone is gay, I mean Jesus doesn’t care.” OR “So what if I had an abortion or two, I’m basically a good person and Jesus would understand.” OR “Yeah, so I am unruly and hate authority, it’s my life God won’t care… it’s my choice.” OR “So what if I have sex with who ever I want, I don’t have to be married. It’s really the only ‘sin’ I commit I don’t think it’s wrong and I don’t think God will either.” And what is funny is that this stuff comes from the mouths of people claiming to be Christian.
To deny one’s self means despite what they want, they obey first and foremost. Every person on the planet ‘wants’ to do something that is wrong at one time or another (and in some cases all the time). This is their “cross” -They have a choice to bear that cross meaning that they put away their selfishness and do what they are commanded or they refuse to pick up the cross and choose to live in sin. If you are a Christian you will deny yourself regardless of what that cross in your life is. Christianity is not an easy task which is why only some will make it to heaven. It takes commitment, faith and complete obedience.
If you choose to live by your own standards and dismiss God's laws then you have no business calling yourself a Christian, you are living a lie.
“If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Here is where the explanation comes in. I have heard many people say “it doesn’t matter if someone is gay, I mean Jesus doesn’t care.” OR “So what if I had an abortion or two, I’m basically a good person and Jesus would understand.” OR “Yeah, so I am unruly and hate authority, it’s my life God won’t care… it’s my choice.” OR “So what if I have sex with who ever I want, I don’t have to be married. It’s really the only ‘sin’ I commit I don’t think it’s wrong and I don’t think God will either.” And what is funny is that this stuff comes from the mouths of people claiming to be Christian.
To deny one’s self means despite what they want, they obey first and foremost. Every person on the planet ‘wants’ to do something that is wrong at one time or another (and in some cases all the time). This is their “cross” -They have a choice to bear that cross meaning that they put away their selfishness and do what they are commanded or they refuse to pick up the cross and choose to live in sin. If you are a Christian you will deny yourself regardless of what that cross in your life is. Christianity is not an easy task which is why only some will make it to heaven. It takes commitment, faith and complete obedience.
If you choose to live by your own standards and dismiss God's laws then you have no business calling yourself a Christian, you are living a lie.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Our cross sometimes get heavy to bear, as did Jesus's cross. But his grace is always greater than the weight of the cross. The Bible also tells us that the way of a transgressor is hard.
These people you mention in your post must have are hard life trying to defend why a Christian would partake of sinful ways, and still to pass themselves off as Christians. You know the tree by the fruit it bears.
Comment by TBT