LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 16:24, “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.

 

2 Timothy 3:1 -2, But know this, that in the last days perilous days will come; for men will be lovers of themselves, …

 

Are we living in perilous days?  My answer is a strong YES!  Open your Bible and read through the list of things that will be part of the worldly life.  Look around, listen to the news, read news headlines and you have to notice that evil in the world has accelerated and intensified.  We are now being told that Jesus and the Bible are racist because they defined marriage being between a man and a woman.  

 

 It is interesting to me that the long list describing moral collapse begins with the statement, “for men will be lovers of themselves”. Compare it to what Jesus said His followers must do if they desire to follow Him – they must deny themselves.  The denial of self is not as easy as one might think.  From birth we are taught to rise up and demand our needs be met.  A baby cries and he/she is immediately given the attention desired.  Yes, that is their means of communication.  However, if not dealt with self grows and the cry becomes a demand to get what is wanted not necessarily needed.  If this is not stopped the self-centered process is groomed and grows to the thought that “my” want is more important than anything else and “I” am going to satisfy it in any way necessary.  Think about how this desire to satisfy self can intensify when moral collapse begins.  I guess that is what we see today.

 

Jesus said to deny self.  That is only done when one “takes up his cross and follows Jesus”.  That is an everyday happening, not just when convenient.  It is the process of saying no to ourselves.  I know, we all want to be liked and respected by others.  But is that what the Lord Jesus really had in mind for us?  It seems that in reality we are to pick up His cross and put the needs of others before our own and to do it on a daily basis.  What is the cross of Jesus?  He died for each of us while we were sinners that we might have redemption with the Father in heaven through Him.  He gave His life willingly for us who did not deserve it.  We need to put the needs and interests of other before our own. 

 

It also refers to deny ourselves the sinful desires offered by the world.  That is a lifelong battle; it is living a life that keeps us on the narrow way to God’s kingdom and eternal life.  It involves the process of being in God’s Word so that we are not deceived by the deception found in the world today!  It means that we deny ourselves but do not deny our Savior and Lord.  Never forget that others are watching what you do and comparing it to what you say.  Our lives and our word should not indicate we are ashamed of living for Him.  Ridicule is going to come.  Even hatred toward you is going to come.  By denying yourself, you are saying what the world is doing is morally and spiritually evil – and the world won’t like it!

 

There are those around you who need to see you deny yourself and by taking up your cross you are following Jesus.  Make a difference for Jesus today and tomorrow!

 

 

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