"If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me".
Matthew 16:24
Deny yourself. Die to self. Sounds unpleasant. But in all actuality it's quite the opposite. This act of dying and denying opens a door to life and freedom like nothing ever seen before. It can't be explained. It must be experienced.
To follow Jesus is a choice. And if that decision has been made, then obedience is required.
Less of me, more of him. Laying down my pride and my selfishness. The willingness to give up, to surrender everything I treasure in exchange for a pearl beyond price.
I can't earn it. I don't deserve it. Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe.
If I have nothing in this life but Jesus, I have more than I will ever need.
Listen: All That I Am by Rend Collective
Dying to Self
Author unknown
When you are
forgotten or neglected
and you don't hurt with the
insult,
but your heart is happy
– that is dying to self.
When your
advice is disregarded,
your opinions ridiculed,
and you refuse to let anger rise
in your heart,
and take it all in patient,
loving silence
– that is dying to self.
When you
lovingly and patiently bear disorder,
irregularity, tardiness, and annoyance…
and endure it as Jesus endured it
– that is dying to self.
When you never
care to refer to yourself
in conversation or record your
own good works,
or itch for praise after an
accomplishment,
when you can truly love to be
unknown
– that is dying to self.
When you can
see your brother or sister prosper
and can honestly rejoice with
him,
and feel no envy
even though your needs are
greater
– that is dying to self.
When you are
content with any food,
any offering, any raiment,
any climate, or any society
– that is dying to self.
When you can
take correction,
when you can humbly submit
inwardly
as well as outwardly,
with no rebellion or resentment
rising up within your heart
– that is dying to self.
