By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
Does your life reflect who Jesus is? Philippians 2:21 says, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
Luke 9:23-24 says, “And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
“Then he said to them all,”
Peter had just made his famous declaration that Jesus was the Christ. Jesus commended his insight as being of God and then explained how he would suffer. Now he turns his attention to them all to make the following statement:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple…”
The disciples were dreaming of what it meant to them to be Jesus’ disciple. He would be king of the world, and they would be his nobles. They would govern alongside him in great honor and glory. Their main concern was which of them would sit highest. Jesus makes one of many attempts to explain what it would truly mean to be his disciple.
“…must deny themselves and take up their cross…”
Until one does deny oneself, they cannot know that who they truly are can only emerge after the denial. The “self” Jesus has in mind is the “false self,” marred by sin and pride, desire for recognition, and given to appetites and lusts. The “self” Jesus calls us to is that which God designed us to be for eternity with him, our inner man.
“…daily and follow me.”
In practice men and women find that they are required to say, “Yes” to Jesus every day, to keep going, to finish the race (2 Tim 4:7), to carry the cross to the very end. Satan will never cease to tempt you to put down that cross and give in to the old man in you. We must face him head-on in the Holy Spirit every day until Jesus says, that’s enough, and “Well done good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21).
Revelation 21:7 says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:27 says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
As children of God, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. To start we must begin to seek the things of Jesus and not our own. Our journey as a Christian is doing it “every day.” It will be worth it all after a while. Don’t give up, stay in the race, and run with patience. You will be rewarded. Revelation 22:12 says, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
