Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
Deny self and follow Jesus is such a foreign concept for fallen man that we must be reminded of this over and over again. Indeed, there is a reason it appears in all four Gospels by our Lord Jesus in some form. We are all so prone to wallow in self-love rather than deny it, preferring every base interest and the trifles and trinkets of this world above God. We might not say it, but our actions scream it. We often stand more affected by our own loss and honor than we are by the Lord’s dishonor and glory. We can frequently appear no different than the original disciples - who ran like roaches when the lights come on – as the soldiers approached the Lord Jesus at Gethsemane. Saving our own skin is natural for flesh - not denial of self. The best of us have a deep sense of our own need and comfort rather than a sense of our lives bringing God much glory. Yet in doing the latter it brings us much good. And God will be no man’s debtor. Further, what do we have that we did not receive and if we received it, why on earth would we boast? His works for us on our behalf are to bring Him glory – pointing to His goodness - and not our own. We were both created and formed for His glory – not ours. Mere vessels of flesh are too weak to carry glory.
Our prayers are so often centered upon our own esteem and name, addicted to our own honor in this perishing world. How foolish and childlike to think so weakly and short sided. It is like playing a board game of life rather than living one to honor God. Yet it is an innate disposition that plagues all flesh. And this great desire for vain glory is inconsistent with faith as it is faith which brings glory to God. This is why Scripture tells us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Jesus. We are not to lean on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight. Do not hunt for glory. It is God alone Who exalts and lifts and God alone who debases.
The Holy Spirit moves us to be conformed to the image of Jesus – not to fleshly ambitions or vain conceits. This is a true test to use to prove His identity. He never leads us into despair or sin or fretfulness or fear or great anxiety rather He shows us doors of escape and points us to Christ, seeking to make us like Him and bringing God much glory through our lives – not us. His attributes are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And His perfect love casts out all fear and points us to Jesus. We are to obey Him thoroughly - not partially - and continually – not leaning on our own understanding – acknowledging Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)