Deny ourselves and take up our cross daily

I don't know about you but I wonder why I don't see much power from on high manifested in the church these days than I read of the early church in the book of Acts? Why? Are we missing something? Read on and see if you agree with me?

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:6) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom 8:7) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom 8:8)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1Jn 2:15-16) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2) A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and will not receive anything from the Lord (Jas 1:7-8) Who is a double-minded man?

What then are the meaning of after the flesh, carnally minded and the world? They are indeed of the same meaning. (1 Jn 2:16) states it clearly... they are the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. And it all summed up in one word... "SELF" ... our self-conscious, self-desire, self-will, self-righteousness, selfishness, jealousy, envy and so on... On the other hand, what is after the Spirit and spiritually minded? It is simply the opposite of SELF, it is Christ-conscious, Christ-minded, Christ-righteousness and having the same mind (thinking and belief) as the Scripture said of us the church. The world is system of this age, whatsoever is not super naturally created by God is of this world such as our education system or the stock market.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Rom 8:9-10) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Rom 8:14)

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal 5:16-17)

So now the real question is... Are you after the flesh or after the Spirit? Think about it. If you are not in the flesh then why are you after the flesh? If you are in the Spirit then why are you not walking in the Spirit? I believe that is why Jesus said we must deny ourselves and carry our own cross daily and follow Him. Deny ourselves is not after the flesh and carry our own cross daily is where we die to self. Many believers know of what Christ has accomplished on the cross for us but few are truly willing to let Him use us to accomplish His will on earth. It is very common to see a relatively holy church going, tongue speaking, ministering christian yet is very selfish and self minded. This is stated in (2Ti 3:5) - having a form of godliness but denying its power. And that's a double minded man. Also many actually think that it is a very painful and difficult process to deny ourselves and carry our own cross. Which is absolutely not true for Jesus said "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mat 11:30) and you can never out give God because He said "...whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:24)

If you lack wisdom, ask of God (Jas 1:5) and it shall be given you. The truth is in Christ and in your flesh you can never deny yourself and carry your cross on your own. You need Him for without Him you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). All He wanted is a willing heart. Let go and let Him renew your mind and see this statement comes to life... "As He is, so are we in the world"(1 Jn 4:17). Hear Him!

Please read related blog: "Are you truly for Him or for yourself?". Shalom!