Deny Self, Carry Cross and Follow Jesus

Call To Prayer

Title: Deny Self, Carry Cross and Follow Jesus

By: Njuacha Hubert

Date: 06/06/2022

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Mathew 16:24-27

Our opening verse is one of those bitter truths that Jesus tells us His disciples. That I too must deny myself, carry my cross and follow Him. Die to self and surrender to God to steer my life. The life He gave in the first place.  

To deny self is to deny to be a slave to the desires of yourself/flesh. You may desire to watch pornography but you resist this request from your flesh. Temptation is not a sin but in every temptation the lord provides a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13). Avoid idleness! You may desire to be rich and want to cheat or accept a bribe but because you accepted Jesus you resist and yes, your mates are getting rich but not you; Trust the word when He says “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22).  

Taking up your cross is accepting the sufferings that come to you for the sake of the kingdom of God. You may be despised and treated with contempt by some people because you have Jesus. Rejoice because you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Also, remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood so do not blame them but rather respond with love. Love is our identity in Christ.  

Taking up your cross and following Jesus is as well accepting the responsibilities/burdens God assigns us in His kingdom. Is it that your tasks in your local church? Is it praying for your family or the nation? Even your jobsite is a platform to preach in words and in witness. (applying wisdom). In all we do, we do it for Christ.  

In conclusion, Jesus says: work is involved in this journey of faith, sacrifice is mandatory. There is not christian life without restrain and denial by choice and not only by circumstance. As saint Paul puts it faith without action is death. If not for any blessing, is eternal happiness not worth it?; which even now we have a foretaste through His peace.  

Prayer Point:

Let’s pray for the grace to die to self. Trust God like a child that is asked by a parent to return a sweet and the child gives it knowing that his loving parent will return it.  

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