Deny Yourself
Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 8:34)
In the comic strip, BEETLE BAILEY, the general looks at his office staff, who are leaning on their elbows at their desks, and immediately changes a wall sign from THINK to ACT.
Jesus had done much to teach his disciples. Now it was time to act. Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” My good friend Dr. Johnny Price, Pastor of Life Family Church wonders if it’s even possible to speak about self-denial. After all, we live in a society where ME comes first. We say things like, “I’ve got to find myself. I’ve got to do my own thing. I will buy only the finest, because after all, ‘I’m worth it.’” We are the ME generation. We want what we want and we want it now.
How strange these words of Jesus seem in this context. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves.” Deny yourself. How out of place those words may seem, but that is exactly what our Savior is calling us to do.
Dear God, may I act rightly today by denying myself, as I pick up the cross of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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