Then Jesus said His to disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.‘.
Matt 16:24-25

Bible Reading: Mathew 16:24-25, John 11:1-44, John 12:1-9

Several days ago the Lord asked me point blank these 2 questions:

  • “when last did you hear the message of the cross preached?”
  • “when last did you hear my people being told to deny themselves take up
    the cross and follow me?

In truth the message of self-denial is no longer a popular message. It has been largely replaced with the message of ‘motivational self-attainment’ that has perverted the truth of ‘life more abundantly’ John 10:10. Yet true commitment to Christ means preparedness to give up your hopes, dreams, ambitions, goals, possession’s and even your very life for the cause of Christ if and when called upon.

Now a new year beckons, and in truth all of our planning will ultimately filter down into one of 2 realities: (a) you are either planning on saving your life (b) you are planning on losing your life (for His sake).Matt 16:25 . Either choice has a price attached to it and a lifestyle of worship that goes along with it!

How is My Self – Denial?

10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.…

There are many ways to diagnose your life for the cross and self denial.  
I admire Isaac (Abraham's son) a lot for in many ways he modelled self-denial and cross bearing even in the old testament, and stands as a worthy template to be emulated!.
ISAAC MODELED SELF DENIAL How do i measure up?
Your Feet: 
Isaac followed the call of Abraham faithfully at an inconvenient hour to a destination untold. He did so without first consulting him, without struggle, convincing, or even the promise of an incentive! Gen 22:3
Are my daily pursuits wholly yielded to the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom?

Am i following Christ willingly & without the incentive of prosperity? Would suffering & death scare me off?
Your Hands:
Abraham bound 19yr old Isaac on his hands without resistance, rancour and retaliation, Isaac accepted the constraints of his father on his engagements, activities and his capacity.How willingly do you submit to the constraints of Christ upon your engagements, activates, capacity and even battles of fighting for yourself?
Do you still feel the need to fight for yourself?
Your Back:
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. Gen 22:6Do you delightfully and sacrificially bear the yoke of the Lord and share in His burdens?
Your Mouth:
“like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth”. Isa 53:7Do you still feel the urge to speak for yourself? to defend yourself when falsely accused and unfairly treated?
Do you silently murmur and complain about waiting on God?

Summation

John the baptist put it aptly when he stated in John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less”. The New Year offers another opportunity for Christ to become greater in our lives, even as we decrease.

Does your new year resolutions and goals reflect the truth in John’s statement?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter“ F,Chan