SELF DENIAL IN DESCIPLESHIP

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26) – KJV.

One of the conditions of discipleship mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ is self denial. It is the first thing we must do before taking up the cross and following the Lord. Though self denial at times may seem difficult, it is a great source of blessings. Every Christian should resolve from the very beginning to whole-heartedly deny himself in accordance with the terms of his calling.

To deny self is the very opposite of pleasing self. We deny ourselves to please the Lord. We give up self glory and recognition that Christ may entirely be enthroned in us. We give up the right to live by our own rules to the will of God, His glory, and the salvation of man overrides self interest and pleasure. Self involves crucifying self, the old man and its interest. Like John, we decrease, so that Jesus can increase.

We are to deny ourselves to meet the needs of our brethren. Joyfully we give up our rights and comforts even where these will place them at a better advantage over us. We should constantly remind ourselves of the command: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves… For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me: (Romans 15:1,3).

Self denial covers every aspect of our life. It was so with our Lord Jesus Christ and so it must be for anyone that longs to follow him perfectly. Self denial is not in relation to what is sinful and unlawful. No, those have been dealt with at the point of conversion. Self denial is in relationship to what is legitimate and lawful. It must be exercised in our eating, drinking, and dressing. Our desires and appetites must be brought under subjection.

We do not give the flesh all it craves for but the limit that is required so that the inward man may be properly nourished. We regulate our sleep, the way we spend our time and resources and our pattern of living so as not to lose sight of the purpose of our calling. The will of God becomes the first choice in everything we do. And any desire that conflicts with God’s will is immediately crucified. How wonderful it will be when every member of the church lives this glorious life of Christ daily in this present world. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

Exodus 32:25-28; “And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men”. There are two sides to a coin, as well as two sides to many things in life, such as good or bad, saints and sinners, righteous or unrighteous, heaven or hell. Likewise, there’s the side of the kingdom of God and kingdom of Satan.

Those in God’s kingdom are saved by grace with manifestation of the fruit of spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22). But those on the side of Satan are filled with the work of the flesh and bad characters – rebellions, cheating, disobedience, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, and revelling (Galatians 5:19-21).

We need to understand that those on the side of Satan will go and live in hell with him forever. You don’t need to worry if you are on the Lord’s side, heaven is guaranteed if you remain and continue in the Lord. Now, let me ask you the same question Moses asked the children of Israel. “Whose side are you today? Are you on the side of God? Have you repented of your sins, Is your sins washed in the blood of the Lamb? Remember that God is not willing that all should perish but every one to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9-10). For you to be on the side of God’s righteousness, you must be born again by turning away from sins through genuine repentance (Acts 17:30; John 3:3,7), accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10).

“Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band… (Likewise, Jesus said) If ye love me, keep my commandments” (1 Chronicles 12:18; Matthew 12:30).

FAITHFULNESS IN GOD’S SERVICE

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own…Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (Luke 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Fingers are not equal. It is not a mistake, that is exactly how God created them. But each function in its own capacity faithfully doing its own part.

There are diversities of spiritual gifts and ministries in the household of faith. The Spirit of the Lord writing through Apostle Paul said, “For the body is not one member, but many…But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, the Lord expects you to be faithful.

Faithfulness, even when the duty does not suit your fancy or rhyme with your social status or spiritual standing faithfulness is all the Lord requires of you. For the Lord won’t accept any excuse for failure (Matthew 25:24-27,30).There is a clarion call for faithful, committed and dependable ministers in God’s vineyard. God is daily searching for men and women, young and old who are ready to serve Him selflessly, committedly, and faithfully. Unfortunately, many of those who take up appointments in God’s house are only after material or financial benefits they could acquire by serving the Master. But a faithful servant does whatever his hands find to do with all his might, knowledge and wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10). He does not tolerate sin, seek self-glory or reward from men. He is undeterred by affliction, persecution, want and initial failure. He holds fast that which the Lord has given him and labor on in hope.   He daily trims his lamp of service with the oil of faith, purified his heart of all doubts and ensures that his hands are continually on the plough (Luke 9:62). Jesus Christ our perfect example in all things. As servants in his service, we are called to follow His steps. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

Christ was faithful to the Father who sent Him, and He remained faithful to the end. Faithfulness glues the believer to his duty post. It moves him to do the task assigned to him rain or sunshine. Faithfulness is tenacity of conviction and commitment to purpose and practice. The faithful does not waver, cringe or recant. He remains unmovable in his conviction, firm in his confession and fixed in his commitment and consecration. He is ready to die at his duty post.The reason why many ministers fail in their service to God is lack of faithfulness. Those who doubt the power of God or unwilling to pay the price but rather look for help in Egypt using diabolical powers to deceive the unguided flock yest saying. “Thus saith the Lord” when the Lord has not spoken, are unfaithful.

If your convictions, commitment and consecration change with time and tide of prosperity and popularity, you are unfaithful. Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, recognized, or otherwise, it is faithfulness that God requires. Therefore, God expects you to be faithful. To do this, do the following:Magnify your office and put your best into it (Romans 11:13). Discharge your duties with a high sense of responsibility (2 Corinthians 2:16). Be bold, uncompromising, forthright and unsparing in the denunciation of evil and declaration of the truth (Acts 4:13; Titus 1:13).Adhere to the word of God who has called you (2 Corinthians 4:2). Live a challenging true Christian life (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:8). Be determined to please the Lord , not surrendering to people’s whim and praise.“Therefore,my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The work you do for the Lord, the office or position you hold in your church might not have a big name or great title attached to it, yet you need to be faithful, loyal, committed, and selfless in discharging your duties because your work shall be rewarded. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Faithfulness in a little office brings promotion to bigger office. If you are a faithful soul winner today, tomorrow, God will make you a dynamic preacher or evangelist. Whatever lowly position you think occupy today, if you would be faithful, higher position than you would ever dream of awaits you tomorrow. As in the case of David ( 1 Samuel 16:11), you might be the youngest and unrecognized but if you are faithful in little, God will bring you to the limelight for greater honor and service. Remember Joshua’s appointment after Moses’ death and Elisha’s appointment after Elisha’s appointment after Elijah’s transition. You should, however, avoid murmuring, bitterness and complaint which fill the service of some. These will block your chances of promotion to something higher and greater. Therefore, be faithful. Faithfulness will earn you favor of God and His untold blessings here on earth and in the life eternal.