Deny Self?

Good Morning,

Luke 9:23 (NIV)
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."
Luke 9:23 (NLT)
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

This section of Scripture is repeated in both the Book of Luke and then also in Matthew. Whenever the same subject is covered in more than one of the Gospels it takes on some special significance, at least it does so to me. When this happens, the same or similar circumstances and words being repeated in more than one Book of the Bible, I think it's a sure sign that God wants us to both remember it and understand it.

I've wondered, as have many I'm sure, exactly what "cross" one needs to take up in order to truly follow Jesus. I mean, I easily understand the denying of self, of turning from selfish ways, but the taking up of a "cross" is another matter. That's something that is specific to each individual and that God will show each of us as He sees fit.

God has shown me what I need to "take up" in order to truly follow Him. Has He shown you your "cross" that you need to take up? And...have we been obedient in taking up that "cross" in obedience to God? You? Me?

For many Christians it is difficult to even get beyond the denying of self and selfish ways in order to contemplate the taking up of a cross that Jesus speaks of. And for a lot of us it's sort of a "hit and miss" proposition, this denying of self...and of the taking up of a cross. What I mean is, we do it really well for a time and then sort of fall back into a more worldly way and become a "normal" human being and become selfish again. That, the UNdenying of self and being selfish, causes us to put down the cross we very well might have taken up.

That is simply because the "cross" that most of us have been given to take up involves serving, helping, and being there for OTHERS...and putting our own devices, needs, and desires aside. Of course, one's "cross" can be something altogether different than being in unselfish service to others in some way. But it sure seems that when we are truly able to give up our selfish ways then God makes it our personal business to serve others, even to a fault.

What I've learned is that when I'm able to be unselfish, to give up my selfish ways, and to deny myself worldly things, then my mind and heart seems to want more to help other people and to truly be of service to God and His kingdom. I've also learned that the MORE unselfish I am then the MORE it pleases me (and God?) to do things for other people.

One simply leads to the other...at least in my experience. You?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David