My Next: Self-Denier and Self-Giver
Don Mann, Associate Pastor | Stewardship
The optimist says the glass is half full, the
pessimist that it’s half empty, but what happens when you add ice? It changes
the rules. It becomes full to overflowing.
Jesus predicts His suffering, death and
resurrection. Peter only heard suffering and death and reacted only to that
fear, not to the truth of the resurrection. Telling Jesus to avoid self-denial
and self-giving may have been intended to keep Jesus from harm, yet he was
actually telling Him not to fulfill the purposes of God. Jesus countered by
telling Peter to give up His own direction and give away his life in following
Christ.
The resurrection changes all the rules. In light
of it, self-denial and self-giving are not naïve optimism, they are essential
to a life full to overflowing. This found life is fulfillment of God’s
purposes. Self-denial and self-giving are the daily demonstration of faith;
that we believe our Lord was resurrected from death and that we will be
also.
My next may be following Christ and being
obedient, even when it involves giving up or giving away. Avoiding self-denial
and self-giving is a strategy for seeking temporary gain while avoiding
temporary loss. It may seem logical in light of the present, but will not in
light of eternity.
