What did Jesus really mean when He said,
“Whoever desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself“
Mark 8:34
Did Jesus want us to give up all that we have,,
… our families, our comfort, our belongings,
… in order to follow Him?
No, not at all,
In fact right afterwards Jesus explained what He meant,
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36-37
In other words,
It is not about what you have,
… but about what has you!
What price have you paid to have what you have?
Did you compromise to get what you’ve got?
God wants us to prosper,
… and have our needs and desires met,
according to His riches in glory, (Phil.4:19)
… and not according to our efforts and scheming.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things
and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 2
Jesus was saying that following Him means,
… doing things according to His standard,
… by denying our way of thinking,
and doing what we do with others in mind.
If your focus is on others,
… then your life will be fruitful,
and your soul will be prospering!
That is how you deny self!
Amen.