Luke 9:23 “And HE said to all, “If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow ME.”
First Forfeiting Self!
With the truth of the Gospels and sin, both confessing when wholly surrendered one’s will to GOD’s ways…
…then comes waves of Completion instead of Contention because Flesh has forfeited Self.
As both sides of the coin must be dealt with for Value; the problem compared to CHRIST’s Calvary solution…
…then great recognition avails one of Peace which HE solely provides for those forfeiting Self.
Not as worthless but priceless when clinging to JESUS — not taking HIS credit nor adding their own…
…to HIS Cross found so sacred! Such soul resignation then wholly exalts its CREATOR by name!
So weighing the two, both my sin and HIS payment, let us judge GOD’s scales as inerrant and sure!
For only HIS hands hold the heaviest power and thus CHRIST’s redemption through scars…us secures!
As HIServant with “Forfeited Self” held in HIS powerful, nail-scarred hands,
Whitney
Devotional: Matthew 16:24 “Then JESUS told HIS disciples, “If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow ME.”
Mark 8:34 “And calling the crowd to HIM with HIS disciples, HE said to them, “If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow ME.”
Same verse, in 3 of the 4 Gospels! Then in John 14:15…
“If you love ME, you will keep MY commandments.”
Luke 14:27 “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after ME cannot be MY disciple.”
So Forfeiting Self and denying the Flesh are the prerequisite to becoming HIS disciple and following HIM.
Now people will tell you it’s a bad thing if you’re in Self Denial. “You need to embrace the Reality of Life outside of you!”
It’s funny, isn’t it? By denying myself, that IS what I’m doing!
So I’m embracing the greatest reality of CHRIST in me, WHO I follow, and will lay down all else for…just as Scripture says!
Amen and amen!
2CJC 