Self Abandonment!

It is sad when we see children who appear to have been abandoned; no one to provide them with the loving care they need. We know that healthy supporting relationships are a vital part of life. However, there are times when certain relationships must be abandoned in order to retain those which help to move the life in a proper direction. That abandonment many times begins with self.

Such was the point Jesus made when He stated
“…whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT.” ( Matthew 16:25 ESV)

This statement was preceded by Jesus’ imperative regarding the DENYING OF SELF if we are going to follow Him. ( Matthew 16:24) In fact the Greek translated “deny” comes from “aparneomai” which means to utterly deny or to affirm one has no connection with a person. [source: “Vine’s Expository Dict. Of N.T. Words] Therefore, to DENY SELF would imply to have no connection with self, but rather living life in its connection with Christ.

Someone has said, “He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.” [source: list of sentence sermons]

Paul, with regard to the blessing of our relationship in Christ, stated…
“But now that you have been set free from sin and HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF GOD, the FRUIT YOU GET LEADS TO SANCTIFICATION AND ITS END, ETERNAL LIFE.” ( Romans 6:22 ESV)

To lose our life in Christ and for the sake of Christ is the only way to save it. To DENY SELF in order to live a life of surrender to Jesus we can be assured of receiving the loving care we need from the Heavenly Father who will not abandon us. May we abandon our self will to gain the rich blessings associated with His.

Have a great day SURRENDERED FOR LIFE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Sobriety