“I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:30-31).
The journey of denying oneself calls us to be prepared whenever God requires us, even in uncomfortable situations. This stands in stark contrast to the shallow version of Christianity prevalent today—Pop Christianity. This is a faith that we embrace only when it brings us comfort, profit, and security, living by our own terms without interruption.
If Jesus is our Lord, He has the authority to disrupt our lives and send us to any place at any time, regardless of human opinion. Consider the mindset of firefighters, police officers, and military personnel, always ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
As believers, we have put on Christ and are called to be vigilant. We were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20); in faith, we believe this and stand ready to be called upon for His glory and our good. This requires us to deny our personal desires and respond with obedience to God’s calling.
Reflect on the scripture that highlights the callings God placed on the men of faith and the trials they endured:
Hebrews 11:32-37
32 “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, sawn in two, and killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.”
Are you ready to answer the call, or have you settled into the comforts of Pop Christianity?
I was reading from James this morning and this verse hit me differently this time I read it.
James 4:4
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
– We are called adulterous people because Jesus loves us yet we seek love from things not of God.
Your statement is correct. James 4:4 captures the essence of our need to deny our sinful nature. If you have the opportunity, read the book of Hosea; it is rather short and complements James 4:4 well.
I took a class on theology when I was getting my degree. In this class, I had to learn about the Muslim religion. Once I gained an understanding of Islam, I concluded that this was Satan‘s greatest victory. He had convinced millions that Islam was the way. After a few years of observing and talking to multiple Christians, and considering my upbringing, I have changed my mind. I now think that Satan‘s greatest victory is convincing Christians that they can live however they want because it’s all covered under grace. I have also found this to be particularly difficult to discuss with cultural Christians. How dare you suggest that they are not living the life that Christ has called them to. This makes you a judgmental Christian. I pray that God will silence the lies of the enemy and open the eyes of His people.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. Paul discusses salvation, which is the process of being freed from sin and Satan, and reconciled to God. He describes salvation as a journey from spiritual death to spiritual life.