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Comment List
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I think the references to "denying yourself and taking up your cross" has more to do with our obedience to God than to some sacrificial ideology... God wants us to faith Him in every decision that we make which no doubt involves putting the old man to death and teh desires of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes...
We want to do what seems right in our own eyes and God wants us to do things HIs way. What seems to be a sacrifice in our own eyes becomes a blessing when it is turned over to the Lord. Our sacrifice becomes our gratest blessing when they are surrendered to the Lord.
The desire of God's heart is that our lives befilled with all the goodness that is His to give to us.. as life was in the garden in the begining... and all God wants from us is total and absolute surrender to HIs will and way for our lives. This allows God to be God in our lives and His glory is magnified as He is able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves and then my brother... the whole world will sit up and take notice and they will come and want that kind of God in their lives as well!
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2006-04-04 23:04:21 Posted by Bob (bh@sbgm.org)
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Interesting. I think that "giving it all up" is reaching a point where one does not rely on the things of this world. It's like God blesses me with a job that supports the family, but I should be willing to give it all up and follow him if He instructs me to, trusting that He will feed and clothe me and my family. It's when I say "no, I'm too comfortable where I am" that is the wrong thing to do.
Then, one the next hand, I believe that you need to reach a certain place in your walk with Christ before you will be able to "take up your cross and follow Him". You need to grow to such a point, and it's only when you have reached that point that God will ask you to do that.
Can't wait to read the rest of what you have to say.
God Bless
2006-04-05 03:40:48 Posted by Lee ()
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Hum.... have to reach a certain point before you can "give it all up"... so being able to give it all up is kind of like the mark of a mature christian..... teh point that I tried to make earlier is this... If Jesus wants me to take up my cross and follow Him... then that ought to be the process that gets me to the place that you are talking about and not the finished product. If my attitude is right on the journey then it is sure to be right when I get there!
I am more interested in what God wants me to do today than I am what He wants me to do sometime in the future. If I dont get it right today, then I may not get the opportunity to get it right tomorrow.
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2006-04-08 10:21:02 Posted by Bob (bh@sbgm.org)
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Bob, please don't misread me here. I was not trying to say that only "mature" christians can do that. Maturity is definately not an issue here. The "reaching a certain point" I was refering to was having sufficient faith and trust in the Lord as He won't ask you to do anything you are unable to do. Some of us are blessed with more faith and trust as others, some of us need to journey a bit in order for our faith and trust to reach that point where we can give it all up.
So, to sum it up (in my opinion) God will ask you to do that when you are ready and not a moment earlier. If God had asked me to do that 2 years ago, I would be like the guy that walked away disheartened and downcast. If He asks me today, I'll sell what I have and pick up my cross.
Sorry, I seem to come across not the way that was intended. I'll leave it at that as I seem to make it worse the more I speak (type). I hope you understand what I was trying to say.
Be blessed
2006-04-10 05:08:04 Posted by Lee ()
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