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The Hardest Part
During the American Civil War there were many stories of families who shared differing views and loyalties within their own homes; so much so, that some households were even split in two, with brother fighting against brother and father against son. What could possibly bring flesh and blood to such a place of separation and division? Nothing but a deep set passion and belief in something greater than themselves ever could.
Jesus, himself, speaks of such a passion in Luke 14. Disciples of Christ must be willing to abandon all to follow Him. Nothing can come between our relationship with our Savior…not even family. Are we more committed to those with whom we’ve been blessed or to the One who provides all blessings?
There is a portion of this passage, however, that is often overlooked. Above all, we, as followers of Christ, must “hate…our own lives.” In Matthew16:24, Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Sometimes the hardest part of following Christ is not having to abandon our family and friends, but rather simply denying our own wants and desires.
Good thoughts, Ben. Thanks for kicking this off. I could really battle and fight and argue as to whom I would “hate” in order to put Christ first — but there is no one greater than mySELF that I should “hate” and get out of the way.
Thanks.
Wow that really hits home to me.Seeking a new life through the
12 steps,this hate thing runs deep in me.Time to work more steps and read more Luke and Matthew.Thanx Ben
Denying the flesh has been the most difficult part of my relationship with Christ. (Man, isn’t that really just step 1?). I’ve struggled so long to learn how to cope with life on my own. Learning how to get my own needs met. Learning how to make a little joy for myself. Now, I gotta give that all help. Hold on a second. I’ve worked long and hard on this flesh of mine.
“Yes Chris, give it up and follow me. Trust me for your everything. I love you and will never fail you.”
His plan is so much better than anything I could create for myself. So, why is it so hard to accept a free gift. Maybe accepting the gift isn’t so difficult…letting go of ourselves so we have hands to hold onto the gift is really the struggle.
Lord, help us all to let go of ourselves. To accept Your precious love… always…so that this constant tug-of-war over our flesh can stop. Help us let go of ourselves into Your arms that we might be available to see Your world…through Your eyes…that You might then be able to use us because we are no long focusing on ourselves.
In Jesus name,
Amen
We clutch our wants with a death grip, don’t we.
For example, in our families and within the CCC congregation there are good people voting differently. I’ve talked with many who have landed on opposite sides of the ballot and are struggling to reconcile how God’s children can be so divided in their politics. Denying personal wants in surrender to His greater plan is the only answer there is. Thanks Ben
1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul says he “beats” or “disciplines” his body to bring it under control or subjection, unless after he had preached to others he would be a “castaway.” I won’t get into whether you can “lose your salvation,” but the point is that to actually abandon myself is extremely difficult and requires a lot of thought and discipline. It’s not just a haphazard couple of sacrifices or random acts of kindness that I might do.
Just had another thought on this…
Whenever I read the passages about Moses’ motley crew who crafted a golden calf as the object of their worship, I’m tempted to condemn them as though there are no idols in my own life. Is it possible that my wants ARE my modern day idols?
I am not sure my comment got through, so I restate it. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul says he disciplines his body to bring it under control or subjection. He is talking in athletic terms I think, which means the discipline is systematic, not sporadic sessions with Oswald Chambers when you feel spiritually overweight. Hating your body means you don’t like the status quo of serving self. The discipline is more than haphazard sacrifices and “random acts of kindness.” I think that it is the “working out your salvation with fear and trembling,” the personal sanctification part that we are responsible for, that comes after salvation. So for me, am I able to actually list the things I work on to deny myself, and to bring myself under subjection?