Biblical Womanhood and Christian Living
Self-Denial
By Sarah
Jan 22, 2008 - 5:10:59 AM

Today's culture has become obsessed with self-satisfation. We are bombarded with messages that tell us that pleasure is the only thing worth seeking, that happiness is only found when we satisfy our desires.

While some God-honoring enjoyment is fine, the constant search for self-gratification is far from the Christian's calling. Matthew 16:24 says, "...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Jesus tells is to deny ourselves and follow him! We are to turn our backs on self-seeking, and follow the One Who alone is worthy of seeking.

Even today's Christians have gotten caught up in the mindset of self-satisfying. We attend games instead of church, theatres instead of Bible studies. We put off personal devotion time to do something we would enjoy more. If we are to become faithful followers of Christ, this must end! Our main purpose in life should be following our beloved Master, then everything else becomes insignificant.

When Moses went up on the mount to receive the Ten Commandments, the Israelites created a golden calf to worship. Maybe they were bored of waiting; they wanted something else to do. Perhaps they didn't place trust where it should be and decided Moses wasn't coming back.

Today we have a different kind of golden calf. Maybe some of us got bored with the day-to-day Christian life and preparing for Christ's second coming. Perhaps some of us figure that God will understand, it's so hard to prepare, we deserve a lot more self-centered time.

Yes, God does understand, but he gives us the power to overcome our own desires and work for a higher goal--His kingdom. His own dear Son was persecuted and crucified; He understands! He says the world will hate us because of him.  It is hard, but He is there.

Some will call you weird. Some will despise you. But we needn't be concerned with what the world thinks; we are called to keep on following Him, even (especially) when things get tough.

Let me share this with you: when you seek yourself, you come to a dead end. When you seek Christ, you will find riches beyond compare.

May God bless you as you faithfully follow him!