Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
“Counterculture” is a buzzword in our nation today. Its basic message is calling for a radical change of society that is based on new, innovative, and progressive ways of thinking and living. Sadly, that counterculture philosophy has crept into the bloodstream of the church. We are adopting many progressive and innovative ways of thinking and living that are far removed from “It is written” (Luke 4:4, et al.) and the words of Jesus, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). You would think that the message of Christ was to live for self and fulfill every one of your life goals and desires. Me, myself and I have replaced Father, Son and Spirit as the progressive church’s trinity.
The Church is to be a body of called out people – called out of this world and called to seek first the kingdom of God by denying ourselves and picking up our crosses daily. In Philippians 2:17-30 we read about the poured-out-for-Jesus lives of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. These were men with passions like you and me, but men who had met Jesus Christ and followed the example and teaching of Jesus.
Is your version of Christianity a hazard to your flesh? The Lord Jesus used the sacrificial giving of the poor widow (Luke 21:1-4) and the woman with the alabaster box (Mark 14:3-9) as examples of individuals who understood the gospel message of deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose….” Jim Elliott. Selah
