Denying Oneself to Follow Christ

AreYouReady? · #1 12-26-2011, 10:52 PM

I am interested in testimonies from people's thoughts of what it means to deny oneself to follow Christ.

Does anybody have a thought on this?

mfblume · #2 12-27-2011, 12:05 PM

I preach on this a lot. I believe it ultimately means we die with Christ in His death through salvation and must thereafter live a life that acts as though that is true. OUR WILL AND OUR WAYS are set aside for HIS WILL. We carry our crosses. We allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him. His Spirit enters our lives and we actually allow Him to live through us. It's way beyond mere religion of do's and don'ts.

In everything we set to do, we ask His will to be done in it. We yield to God as people who actually died and are resurrected again to do the will of God first and foremost. All the things our flesh wants to do by way of sin and so forth is disallowed by ourselves, since we know it hinders His Spirit from being able to live through us and direct us.

That sort of thing.

Amanah · #3 12-27-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I preach on this a lot. I believe it ultimately means we die with Christ in His death through salvation and must thereafter live a life that acts as though that is true. OUR WILL AND OUR WAYS are set aside for HIS WILL. We carry our crosses. We allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him. His Spirit enters our lives and we actually allow Him to live through us. It's way beyond mere religion of do's and don'ts.

In everything we set to do, we ask His will to be done in it. We yield to God as people who actually died and are resurrected again to do the will of God first and foremost. All the things our flesh wants to do by way of sin and so forth is disallowed by ourselves, since we know it hinders His Spirit from being able to live through us and direct us.

That sort of thing.

I'm so happy you are back, you have been missed terribly . . .

Godsdrummer · #4 12-28-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I preach on this a lot. I believe it ultimately means we die with Christ in His death through salvation and must thereafter live a life that acts as though that is true. OUR WILL AND OUR WAYS are set aside for HIS WILL. We carry our crosses. We allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him. His Spirit enters our lives and we actually allow Him to live through us. It's way beyond mere religion of do's and don'ts.

In everything we set to do, we ask His will to be done in it. We yield to God as people who actually died and are resurrected again to do the will of God first and foremost. All the things our flesh wants to do by way of sin and so forth is disallowed by ourselves, since we know it hinders His Spirit from being able to live through us and direct us.

That sort of thing.

Mike well said could not have said it much better myself. Esp the part about trying to mimic Christ rather than let him live through us.

Sabby · #5 12-28-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Mike well said could not have said it much better myself. Esp the part about trying to mimic Christ rather than let him live through us.

Same here, Mike. Good post. Hope you're blessed in Cold Country

Sabby · #6 12-28-2011, 03:48 PM

Good to see you again Drummer

Sandy · #7 12-28-2011, 08:04 PM

Amen Mike. Nobody, that i know of, can preach and teach that message better than you.

AreYouReady? · #8 12-28-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

OUR WILL AND OUR WAYS are set aside for HIS WILL. We carry our crosses. We allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him. His Spirit enters our lives and we actually allow Him to live through us. It's way beyond mere religion of do's and don'ts.

I think this is what stands out...to allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him.

I read in many places where when Jesus taught, it astonished people as if they never heard of what he was teaching about God.

Many of Jesus' teachings likewise provoked jealousy in those who wanted to remain in control over the people.

In your studies on this subject, what would you say would be the earthly things Jesus would want us to deny ourselves with?

Likewise, what kind of "cross" would modern day man or woman be carrying?

mfblume · #9 01-02-2012, 12:27 PM

Hi all, thanks for the kind remarks!

bbyrd009 · #10 01-02-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I think this is what stands out...to allow Christ to live through us, rather than try to mimic Him.

I read in many places where when Jesus taught, it astonished people as if they never heard of what he was teaching about God.

Many of Jesus' teachings likewise provoked jealousy in those who wanted to remain in control over the people.

In your studies on this subject, what would you say would be the earthly things Jesus would want us to deny ourselves with?

Likewise, what kind of "cross" would modern day man or woman be carrying?

I believe that's because His message was Life! Go be a Sprout! And fed the people what they needed, energizing them to do just that--which is all that could really provoke jealousy from those in control; loss of the pruning shears : )

Deny yourself the response of "death" to someone who needs to hear "life"
might be a good reflection?