A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 1 NO. 47                                          January 9, 2005

“DENYING SELF”

PART XV
BY STEVE NIEMEIER

“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.” (Matthew 16:24).  This statement also applies to us today.  The question that we all face is; “Am I willing to deny myself and take up my cross and follow after Jesus?”  This week let us look at “denying self” as it pertains to the thought of being steadfast and immovable, always abounding in our work for the Lord.

I Corinthians 15:58 is a passage of scripture that is forever imbedded in my mind.  Paul states; “Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that you labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  The point that is imbedded is the direction of the course that Paul is telling us we must follow.  It is a course that must not be adjusted or our labor will be in vain.

Paul follows this statement with another powerful message in the 16th chapter and verses 13 and 14.  “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love.”  The power behind this statement is that not only is the direction of the course we are to follow not negotiable, neither is the attitude in which we are to pilot ourselves flexible.

As a child of God that has followed the plan of salvation (hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized and living faithful unto death) one must stay steadfast to this plan, being grounded firmly so as to not be moved, watching for danger so that our faith will not waiver, being brave and strong when “storms of trials and temptations” are thrown our way, being aware that all we do must be done in love!

My fellow brothers and sisters just these two passages of scriptures should encourage us to examine ourselves and see if we are “denying ourselves” when it comes to our steadfastness in the work of the Lord.  We need not hesitate to make quick adjustments when we realize that we have drifted from the “narrow” course that leads to the pearly gates of heaven.  It has often been said that many will not make it to heaven because of something left undone rather than something done.

My friend leaving something undone takes us off course just as quickly as something that is done (Matt. 25:31-46).  Working for the Lord to receive His mercy and a home in heaven is not a part time job!  Coming to that realization will allow me to look at my life, “deny myself” the pleasures of the sphere of sin of Satan and stay steadfast, immovable, always abounding in my work for the Lord.  Heaven waits.  Are you ready?