I think that the most major reason people - including me - stay outside of the kingdom of God is Jesus' requirement to "deny yourself." We want to pamper ourselves, not deny ourselves. I don't know for sure what denying myself would mean for me, I only know it is a requirement.
Do I have to deny myself in order to be saved? Do I have to commit an act of self-denial in order to be saved, before I am saved, or while in the moment of being saved? I disagree with those who say you do not have to become a disciple of Christ in order to be saved, in order to have eternal life. My understanding of the gospel is that Christ wants all or nothing. As Pastor JD Greear put it in his book, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How To Know For Sure You Are Saved:
"Engaging in the mission was not a special calling that a few special followers received after many years. like Obedience 2.0 or 'Platinum Medallion Discipleship.' It was inherent in the very first call to follow. It was for anyone who would come after Jesus."
So, I'm wondering what I have to do to be saved. If one commits to denying oneself, can they be saved? What it one commits, then, five minutes later, changes his mind? If you say, "no just kidding, Lord, I'm not going to obey" after committing your life to Christ, then does He not say, "No, just kidding, I did not save you?"
I have been wondering, do I have to steel myself up for a life of self-denial before I can get saved? How does one do that?
I figure there must be something in the Christian life and the gospel, that enables self-denial. Because I cannot seem to be willing to just steel myself up and deny myself. God/Jesus must offer me some ability to deny myself through His power. But I am always, I guess, subconsciously, looking to get saved first, for sure, then worry about dealing with the hard stuff later. What do I have to do to be saved, as far as Jesus' requirement that I deny myself, goes?
Do I have to deny myself in order to be saved? Do I have to commit an act of self-denial in order to be saved, before I am saved, or while in the moment of being saved? I disagree with those who say you do not have to become a disciple of Christ in order to be saved, in order to have eternal life. My understanding of the gospel is that Christ wants all or nothing. As Pastor JD Greear put it in his book, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How To Know For Sure You Are Saved:
"Engaging in the mission was not a special calling that a few special followers received after many years. like Obedience 2.0 or 'Platinum Medallion Discipleship.' It was inherent in the very first call to follow. It was for anyone who would come after Jesus."
So, I'm wondering what I have to do to be saved. If one commits to denying oneself, can they be saved? What it one commits, then, five minutes later, changes his mind? If you say, "no just kidding, Lord, I'm not going to obey" after committing your life to Christ, then does He not say, "No, just kidding, I did not save you?"
I have been wondering, do I have to steel myself up for a life of self-denial before I can get saved? How does one do that?
I figure there must be something in the Christian life and the gospel, that enables self-denial. Because I cannot seem to be willing to just steel myself up and deny myself. God/Jesus must offer me some ability to deny myself through His power. But I am always, I guess, subconsciously, looking to get saved first, for sure, then worry about dealing with the hard stuff later. What do I have to do to be saved, as far as Jesus' requirement that I deny myself, goes?