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Deny Yourself
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23,24
I think I’ve read that scripture 100 times. And when I read it, I put a nice little checkmark next to it. “Done.”
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DENY YOURSELF?
Does it mean I can’t enjoy nice things? That I have to live poorly? That I can’t have a nice car or eat out at nice restaurants?
What it means is, I surrender my life. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
I no longer have the right to sin.
I no longer have the right to judge.
I no longer have the right to close my eyes to the oppressed.
I no longer have the right to spend my money as I please.
I no longer have the right to spend my time as I please.
As long as I’m living life on MY terms, I’m saving my life and Jesus said I can’t come after Him, I can’t be with Him.
As a new Christian, it didn’t come all at once. It’s taken YEARS and I feel like I’m just getting started. I continue to find ways to surrender my life.
Surrender means praying dangerous prayers. Prayers like, “Search me. Show me my sin Lord.” or “Break me Lord.” or “Send me.”
What would happen if you prayed those prayers? Like, on your knees, crying out to God, “SEARCH ME. BREAK ME. SEND ME. Whatever You want Lord. YOUR will, not mine.”
