Self-Denial
By Dr. James R. Miller (modern English version by The Vine © 2011) http://www.thevinetoday.com/
Then
Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
There are few people who fail more
spectacularly than in their efforts at self-denial. Very few seem to
have the slightest idea of what it is. One does not eat red meat on
Fridays but eats fish instead and thinks he or she has denied himself in
a serious way. Another gives up something small for forty days in Lent
and feels like he or she has accomplished something great. Others make
themselves miserable in various ways: inflicting pain or making useless
and uncalled-for sacrifices as if God is pleased when they suffer. These
things are not self-denial. There is no merit or virtue in giving up
anything, suffering any loss or pain, or making any sacrifice merely for
its own sake.
True self-denial is renouncing yourself and the yielding your whole life to the will of Christ. It is submitting yourself to Christ and acknowledging His reign over every aspect of one's life. It is always living not to please ourselves, not to advance our own personal interests, but to please our Lord and do His work. It is denying ourselves of anything that is sinful in His sight. It is joyfully making any sacrifice that our dedication to Him requires. It is giving up of pleasure or comfort for the good of others. The essential thing is that self gives way altogether to Christ as the focus of one's life.
Nothing which is done merely as self-denial is true self-denial. True self-denial, like all other traits of Christ-likeness, is unconscious of itself and is not worried about glory. We deny ourselves when we follow Christ with joy and gladness, through cost and danger and suffering, wherever He leads.
True self-denial is renouncing yourself and the yielding your whole life to the will of Christ. It is submitting yourself to Christ and acknowledging His reign over every aspect of one's life. It is always living not to please ourselves, not to advance our own personal interests, but to please our Lord and do His work. It is denying ourselves of anything that is sinful in His sight. It is joyfully making any sacrifice that our dedication to Him requires. It is giving up of pleasure or comfort for the good of others. The essential thing is that self gives way altogether to Christ as the focus of one's life.
Nothing which is done merely as self-denial is true self-denial. True self-denial, like all other traits of Christ-likeness, is unconscious of itself and is not worried about glory. We deny ourselves when we follow Christ with joy and gladness, through cost and danger and suffering, wherever He leads.
Today... As you go
through your day, consciously remind yourself of your submission to
Christ in your actions and thoughts. Reflect on a time of true
self-denial for the sake of Christ.
Daily Smile:
The
Computer Swallowed Grandma
The computer swallowed grandma
Yes, honestly its true
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
Yes, honestly its true
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely
The thought just makes me squirm
She must have caught a 'virus'
Or been eaten by a 'worm.'
The thought just makes me squirm
She must have caught a 'virus'
Or been eaten by a 'worm.'
I've searched through the 'recycle bin'
And files of every kind
I've even used the 'Internet'
But nothing did I find.
And files of every kind
I've even used the 'Internet'
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine
The reply from him was negative
Not a thing was found 'online.'
My searches to refine
The reply from him was negative
Not a thing was found 'online.'
So if inside your 'Inbox'
My Grandma you should see
Please 'Copy,' 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!
My Grandma you should see
Please 'Copy,' 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!
Author Unknown
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