Title: Self-reliance for a better life
Contents
Self-reliance for a better life
Text/ Matthew 16:24-28 (Mark 8:24-9:1, Luke 9:23-27)
1. Introduction
This winter is said to be the coldest. It seems that the water of the Han River is frozen and it is cold. Today, we are going to share grace while meditating on the most difficult part of the Bible. Difficult here does not mean that it is difficult to understand with the head, but it means that it is really very difficult to put into practice with the body. That is the problem of self-denial and self-cross. Therefore, Jesus said, “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble because of me” (Matthew 11:6). It is such a difficult text.
2. Text Study
*If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross (daily) and follow me 16:24-25).
*凡欲從我者當克己; (Chinese Bible)
*If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself(let him renounce himself) and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will fine it. NIB, JB.
In the text, the Greek word arveomai used for the word to deny oneself is used in response to any question or to any request or claim, saying, “Strictly no! and reject it.” This phrase “arneomai (deny yourself)” is used by English-speaking people as not self-center (abandonment from self-centeredness), self-control (self-control and self-control), let him disregard himself (disregarding oneself). ), let him renounce himself, The word connotes a radical renunciation of self, not merely of one's sinful conduct or sins Rather, it implies a very radical abandonment of self.
The Chinese Bible interprets 當克己 (dang geukgi), that is, 克己 (self-denial: self-restraint of one's own desires, desires, and emotions).
But I think there are two aspects to this self-denial. One is self-denial for a better life in this world, and the other is self-denial for Jesus Christ in the spiritual sense as the text implies. Today we are going to meditate on self-denial for a better life for ourselves, and next week we will meditate on self-denial for Jesus Christ.
3. Self-denial for a better life in this world
first. Self-denial for the sake of one's own physical health. Everyone wants to be healthy. But if you do not deny yourself, you will lose your health. People want to sit when they are standing - when they sit they want to lie down - and when they lie down they want to sleep. But if you live like that, you lose your health. Denying me who wants to lie down - sit - and walk slowly, I have to move hard - run - sweat and climb mountains to stay healthy.
“No!” what your body wants for your health. Those who deny it will find health, and those who follow their own body will lose health.
second. You must deny yourself in order to hone your own talents. Everyone wants to live rich. You want to be popular. I want to be recognized. But not everyone is rich, not everyone is recognized, and not everyone is popular. Only those who deny themselves can do so.
When something happens, we go to professionals (experts), not amateurs. Why? Because an amateur is an amateur after all. This is true in all fields such as exercise-稅務(tax tax)-music-theater-luxury-film-singer-computer-architecture-consultation. At one time, many people were interested in high school baseball and college basketball, but not now. Because professional baseball, professional basketball, and professional soccer were born. Occasionally, it is childish to watch high school and college student games. Why? Because the difference between a professional and an amateur is clearly visible. The reason that an amateur is an amateur is that while an amateur places some circumstances on self-denial, a professional stands on the foundation of thorough self-denial. You have to deny yourself to become a professional in your field.
third. Self-denial training is also needed to build better relationships and live in this world. Self-greedy-self-feeling-self-interest-self-assertiveness-A person who lives in narcissism cannot form good relationships. What is the result? Bullying. Loneliness. Self-pity - self-hatred - why don't I have good friends? It's a lament.
If you look at the suicide rate statistics, the proportion of people who commit suicide due to economic problems and those who commit suicide due to loneliness-depression is almost the same. What do you mean? It means that people cannot live on money alone. Even if you want to say something, you have to be patient. Even if you want to eat something, you have to be patient. Even if you don't want to, you have to be careful. Cock! Even if you have a lot of tantrums, you have to be patient and speak carefully. Self-denial is not just a religious issue.