DENYING MYSELF BY FOLLOWING GOD'S PERFECT WILL

This week, I am exploring what God says about setting my mind on things above.  As I enter prayer now, I reflect on God’s instruction: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” 

Lord, I desire to focus on You.  Allow my mind 

to be transformed by the reading of Your Word. 

Let me consider the Word of God from Romans 12:1-3: 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

The foundational thought in self-denial is a desire for the Lord.  I must admit that I am fed up with the world; the way of the world is not fulfilling.  Instead, my desire is fulfilled when I keep God’s Word continually in front of me, which reminds me of His promises of salvation and eternal life. 

Self-denial also means I am willing to sacrifice the life I thought I had and exchange it for a life fulfilled in Jesus—a life that is holy and pleasing to God.  This is my act of worship to Almighty God.  I have not lost anything in leaving my old life behind.  Before Jesus changed me, I thought more highly of my old life than I ought, and my judgment was not sober. 

Lord, thank You for continually allowing me  

to see Your mercy in saving me from my old life  

by transforming my mind. 

If I want to know God’s will, I apply a three-fold test.  This helps me distinguish between the self-control God desires and the self-fulfillment the world promotes.  In every decision, I ask, “Is it good?  Is it pleasing to God? And is it in God’s perfect will?”  Through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I discern what is from God versus what is from the world. 

Lord, thank You for helping me to have self-control  

by denying the pattern of this world  

and setting my mind on things above.   

I desire to do Your will, Your good,  

pleasing, and perfect will.   

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.