Deny Yourself, Can You Do That?

“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Jesus is laying down some very important guidelines for discipleship. It usually comes down to whether or not you want to do the work of keeping your flesh down. You know, those appetites our bodies have, keeping that hunger under control. Having our own will isn’t for doing anything we want to, or having anything we want all the time. Our will is to be invoked when our bodies don’t feel like moving, or doing what’s right. Bringing into subjection every thought that comes into your mind, under the scrutiny of God’s word, is the beginning of discipleship. The renewing of our minds using the word of God, so we can begin to think and act like God. He’s our Father and we are made in His image and likeness. Jesus said whoever wants to be His disciple, (it’s optional), but strongly recommended for victorious living, and service to the Lord. There are christians who are saved on their way to heaven but, living however they want to, not following God’s plan for their life, and living a mediocre life compared to what their full potential could bring them.