10. Following Christ means denying ourselves
Jesus knew that living selfishly is not the way to have life. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He
denied Himself and gave His life on the cross to redeem and save mankind. Matthew 16:24-25 says:
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for My sake will find it.’”
Denying ourselves means that we choose what God says, not what we or others say; we choose
God’s ways, not our way; we choose what’s right, not what’s easy or convenient. When we deny
ourselves, we may lose relationships or opportunities, but in the end, we’ll have real life in Christ.
Jeremiah 30:17
14
'For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'Because they have called you an outcast,
saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."