Joel M Bradshaw

23And [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9

Another great counter-cultural moment by Jesus. Our society expects each of us to inwardly and outwardly pursue the self. Following Jesus means placing that selfishness on the altar of daily living and instead pursuing Jesus.

The more you follow Jesus, these words now change in their influence over your journey: self-love, self-hatred, self-image, self-worth, self-esteem, self-pursuit. I no longer can have any of these be my goal in life. If you disagree with any of this, ask yourself why and if you are in any way making an idol out of yourself. Jesus commanded self-denial for a reason.

Good biblical self-pursuits are self-discipline expressed in self-control. Remember you deny yourself as you follow Jesus. He now is to be your pursuit and goal. This is not easy. Selfishness is so powerful! But it is to be your daily work as a Christian and it marks you as so.—JMB