Christseekers - Seeking for the "Spiritual Mysteries" that's found through Christ!
Lacking self control has indeed, eternal consequences:
Over the years, the controversial division over doctrinal beliefs between the many different denominational churches, has dramatically diminished, concerning personal lifestyle behavior. Today, little to no concern, over ones eternal consequences for their every day living, has now become the normal, for most taking claim to Christianity. And Spiritual accountability, is all but lost, as defined by biblical Scripture. Today, corporate churches are filled with those taking claim to Christianity regardless the many warnings given through Jesus and His disciples. However, there are eternal consequences, for those that lack self control over the their unrightous desires of the flesh. As Jesus warned:
Matt 7:21-23 (NKJV) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Just because many in the Christian community refer to Jesus as Lord, including many spiritual and credentialed leaders, does not mean they actually allow Jesus to be Lord over them. There is a big difference in giving Jesus the title as Lord, vs. allowing Jesus to actually be Lord over them in their everyday lives. It seems quite obvious to me, that Jesus is clarifying this distinction in His prophecy concerning that Day in Judgment. It's clear that on that Day of judgment, these acclaimed Christians, believed, without question, that they would be saved and will be defending their Christian testimony to Him as proof! However, on that Day, Jesus will not acknowledge that He even knew them, for they, in their every day living, never acknowledged the presence of Christ in their lives, as evidenced by their disobedience to God in their daily living for self. There is a very good reason, these words of Jesus was documented in Scripture This should be a very serious warning to many that make claim to their salvation. To better understand the Spiritual depth of Jesus' prophecy, let's take a close look at this very important message Jesus gave to His disciples and all the others that were there that day, and keep in mind, that most everything that Jesus spoke about, apply to us, in our own everyday living. (Ref Mark 8:34) Please listen closely and absorb the depth of what Jesus is saying,
Luke 9:23-27 (NKJV) Then He (being Jesus) 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.
Lets begin with verse 24, ...For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. In that statement, isn't Jesus saying, those that did not give Jesus the preeminence in their everyday living, instead lived their lives according to the desires of their own heart, will ultimately lose their opportunity to eternal life. And those that give up their own desires in life, instead live their lives in the anointing of Christ, being led by the Holy Spirit, with a submissive and obedient heart, will be given the free gift of eternal life on that Day of Judgment. I think so! And on that same note, Jesus also said, and please give this some serious thought:
Luke 14:33 (NKJV) So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
I believe we can understand that Jesus is not talking about getting rid of all of ones belongings but rather maintaining self-control over the unrighteous desires of the flesh. You see, going back to verse 23, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Most seriously, denying self is the first step in finding a relationship with God through Christ. Denying our selfish desires, is the first disciplinary step in obedience, leaving one's own selfish life behind, and with an obedient heart, seeking the will of God, following the example of Christ Jesus.
Please give this some thought, when Jesus spoke these words, He had not yet gone to the cross but knew that was the will of His God and Father, for Him to be obedient, even to the point of death, even the death of the cross, which He had yet to endure. That's why, I believe Jesus referenced the cross, referring of His example of obedience, to His God and Father. And when He gave His life, as a sacrifice for you and me, did He not forsake all that He had, including self, in being obedient to the will of His God and Father? Did not Jesus put His own will aside, forsaking all, when He allowed His life to be sacrificed for the sin of all mankind? Therefore the first step to salvation is clearly, the decision to set our lives aside and learn obedience to the will of God. Fulfilling God's will in serving others, in like manner to Jesus' example of obedience, in the days of His flesh.
And then when Jesus said, take up his cross daily, wouldn't that be living everyday with an obedient heart to God, always seeking God's will in prayer, And then the last part of Jesus' statement was to follow Him, In other words, serve God by following Jesus' example of obedience. The apostle Paul understood Jesus' message of obedience when he wrote the following Scripture...
Phil 2:5-8 (NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
The number one message in that Scripture is: For those in Christ, we must have the same mind set as Jesus in submitting completely, in obedience, even when it requires giving up our own life. Clearly, Jesus not only did not have a life of His own in this world, but was also slain for our selfish and sinful lives. We find no Scripture where Jesus went water skiing, or went out playing cards with friends, or went out to the movies. Jesus' whole life was spent serving His God and Father, even to the point of death. You see, when this Scripture used the words of being equal with God, that is not making Him God for this Scripture says we are to have the same mind set. Please give this some deep thought. There is a big difference in "being equal with" and "being equal to". Jesus was equal with His Father through His obedience, even the death of the Cross. However, Lucifer wanted to be "equal to" as manifested by the desire of his heart for independence from God. Example, if a father sent his son to do some business for him and the son being totally obedient, whomever doing business with the son would soon find that there would be no difference in doing business with the son vs. the father, for the son was obedient in all counts to the will of his father.
However, being "equal to", would be a completely different situation. The son, rather wanting to be "equal to" his father, may want to be indipendent from his father and start his own business, doing things his way, rather than the way his father wanted.
Isn't that what Lucifer chose to do, to be independent from God, and do things his way, his evil way. Since we have all been born into the mindset of Lucifer, overcoming self is the greater miracle that is accomplished with the help of God, through His Holy Spirit. Those that made the decision to follow in Christ Jesus' example of obedience, maintaining self control over the desires of the flesh, if they endure to the end, they'l be included in the kingdom of God, in eternity, as we've all been promised. An obedient heart is key. Without it, there is no presence of God. As the Apostle Paul wrote:
Acts 5:32 (NKJV) And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Jesus said this as matter of fact: Matt 6:24 (NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Some may of heard or understood that mammon is money or wealth, and it can be, but it's my belief that mammon actually covers so much more. Bottom line is that mammon can be anything that provides for the desires of self, and will anormally take one's focus off of God, resisting God's presence of being manifested in their life. Because of self and the lack of desire to discipline one's self, in overcoming self, that is why it is so difficult to enter the narrow gate to salvation of which Jesus spoke of.
Matt 7:13-14 (NKJV) "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Hollywood has painted many pictures in the minds of people concerning demonic images and activity. But the truth is that Lucifer, when he was cast out of heaven was because of his self-seeking heart, and that's the true understanding of demonic activity. Look closely how Lucifer, wanting to be "equal to" God, is unloyal heart was manifested in his independence from God.
Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV) How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'
And if we are truthful with ourselves, is not our desires similar to Lucifer, as many of us live our lives our way, without continually seeking the will of God in our lives. The apostle Paul wrote that, Jesus is to have the preeminence in all things. That means maybe, prayer and bible study before TV? You decide. Anyway, please consider this following Scripture.
Col 1:18 (NKJV) And He (Jesus)is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Those with ears to hear can understand that all demonic activity begins with self-seeking as was the heart of Lucifer. Self-seeking is the foundational destruction to life, to marital relationships, friendships, and especially one's relationship with God.
James 3:14-16 (NKJV) But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
2 Tim 3:1-5 (NKJV)But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.
Phil 2:3-4 (NKJV)