We need faith every day. Without faith, we would constantly be defeated in our struggle against sin and Satan. The Oklahoma Sooners’ softball team is becoming famous for having an amazing record of over 50 wins and only 1 loss. They are headed to the collegiate World Series. When asked about their success and joy, the three players that were interviewed all replied that their joy and stability is because they play for the glory of God. Their faith was greater and more important than their impressive record and accomplishments. In this passage, we see Moses also practiced faith and chose to live for God instead of the world.

Parting Faith

Faith is active. James warns that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). “By faith [Moses] left” The verb “left” implies that Moses left with a heroic determination, akin to Matthew the tax collector who left everything behind to follow Jesus (Luke 5:27-28). It was a dramatic and sacrificial parting, marking the end of that life. It required an act of faith by Moses.

A parting faith considers everything secondary to Jesus Christ. Moses left Egypt, the place he called home. In the Bible, Egypt represents the world (Isaiah 30:1-2). The world might seem appealing and secure but it is foolish to dwell and place your faith here (Genesis 13:10). Jesus says He is not of the world and we are not also. This is because the world has nothing to offer. We have all that we need in Jesus. True faith recognizes Jesus as its one and only Lord and will have no other.

Fearless Faith

There are many who are in danger if they leave their old life and follow Christ. Think of an ex-gang member who might be targeted because of his departure. Many others face danger or persecution by remaining faithful. Daniel and his friends are well-known examples of the dangers faith brings. Moses also made an enemy of Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world. Through Moses declaring the plagues in Egypt, Pharaoh suffered greatly and even lost his first son. Yet Moses did not fear Pharaoh’s wrath because faith does not fear the creature but trusts in God. By faith, we see the impossible as an opportunity for God’s sovereignty and loving will (Romans 8:31-34). We have no need to fear bad news if we live by faith (Psalm 112:6-8).

Enduring Faith

Moses’ faith was a lasting faith that patiently waited on God. His life was full of endurance: 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, and 40 years leading the nation of Israel to the promised land. True faith does not only trust in God when life is going well. True faith walks through the narrow gate and endures all the hardships of life. When faith endures, then God works. By faith, Jesus endured over 30 years of life and ministry and excruciating hours on the cross to accomplish the great work of our redemption. The faithful men of old like Abraham and Job, though their lives were filled with hardships, endured and ended their lives well because they lived by faith (Genesis 25:8, Job 23:10, Job 42:17). Faith must endure.

Depending Faith

Faith is trusting in God who is unseen. We cannot see God because God is spirit. To see God’s face would mean death to us who are mere creatures (Exodus 20:4-6, Gen 32:30). Even though we cannot see God, we know God exists and is real (Romans 1:20). More importantly, we see and know God clearly through Jesus His Son (John 1:18).

In fact, trusting in God by faith is better than seeing Him with our eyes. The crowd hurling insults at Jesus on the cross were the exact ones who had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Their sight was useless to them. Jesus tells Thomas, “Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed.” (John 20:29) Apostle Peter explains that though we do not see God, we love Him (1 Peter 1:8). Love is the means of experiencing and seeing God. Love makes tangible that which is invisible.

How do we know we trust and love God? If we have inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8). That inexpressible and unquenchable joy is full of glory. It is not a joy rooted in the world, but in the glory of heaven based on the promise of God (Romans 8:18). The joy that comes from an inheritance that will never fade and cannot be taken away.

Conclusion

What kind of faith do you have? Do you practice faith like Moses did? A parting, enduring, fearless, and depending faith. What Moses went through, we all go through in our lives. Examine your faith. You will find that faith like Moses is how God works.

What does Jesus have to do with you? As Christians, do we wrestle with the Lord and long to follow him and grow to become more like him? Or do we not think much of this all-encompassing question that determines the life we live? The disciples of Jesus witnessed a myriad of signs and miracles performed by Jesus. Nonetheless, they experienced backsliding and even deserting Christ. In the same manner, today’s Christians also face the issue of spiritual immaturity resulting in backsliding rather than teaching others and being a source of encouragement (Heb. 5:12). What prevents the Christian from spiritual maturity and spiritual growth? 

The wrong view of Christology is an enemy of spiritual growth. Everyone holds to their own understanding and view of who Jesus Christ is. But the matter is if the Christian holds a belief and knowledge of the biblical Jesus. In the immediate context of today’s text, the crowd was “amazed at the greatness of God” (v. 43) as Jesus demonstrates a miracle by casting out a demon from a boy. They were solely driven by the signs and wonders of Jesus but completely missing the purpose of why Jesus came down from heaven to die for sinners and be raised up.

Then Jesus responds to the crowd to shift the focus not on the miracle that was just performed, but that he will be “delivered into the hands of men” (v. 44). This is a stark warning by the Lord; that is, he must not merely be known as a miracle worker but the Savior who will save the lost (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 10:3). It is this biblical Jesus that is only able to forgive and transform the heart of any sinner. A false Jesus and any false teachings will never result in a sinner who is able to lay aside their old self and be renewed in the spirit of their minds (Eph. 4:20-23). The true and biblical Jesus relentlessly sanctifies and challenges all true believers to live in godliness in submission to Jesus’ lordship.

Crossless Christianity is an enemy of spiritual growth. Jesus’ message was in regard to his impending suffering and death on the cross. Why are Jesus and the cross crucial to the Christian? Without it, everyone will live life as if there is no judgment of God. And without the cross, we would not know the goodness of God and the sinfulness of man.

The cross is powerful to help any Christian’s growth and maturity. In history, there were many crucifixions, but one crucifixion is set apart from the rest. The sinless Son of Man was crucified. If he was sinless, why was he crucified on the cross? Every person sins leading to death, but Jesus took the place of those who would repent and believe in him (Heb. 2:9). If we understand the power of Christ’s death on the cross and heed his words, we will live a cross-centered life with true saving faith.

Sin is an enemy of spiritual growth. Sin is always an enemy of spiritual growth. God conceals so that the sinner cannot perceive the truth of God’s word. Sin is serious in the eyes of God, but many Christians do not take some sins as seriously in the name of “everyone does it”. A healthy relationship with the Lord is wrought by a life of repentance and growth in sanctification.

Cross-bearing is the will of God. Fear allows the Christian to deny the will of God. But the only way to grow spiritually is to submit to the Lord’s will which leads to ongoing sanctification. How we deal with the will of God in our walk determines our level of maturity.

This passage is very encouraging as we discover how important faith is. We learned last week how this scenario is proof of God’s statement, “This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to Him”. God did not tell us to listen to Moses or Elijah but to Jesus, His Son. It is Jesus alone we must follow and obey.

While Jesus was on the mountain, a father is having a worst-case scenario, with his son being demon possessed in a very horrific way, causing seizures and harm to the boy. At first, the father went to Jesus’ disciples because the disciples had performed miracles before. Unfortunately, they were powerless against this demon (Luke 9:40).

After hearing what happened, Jesus gives His diagnosis. Both the father and the disciples are facing a difficult situation. They had failed and didn’t know what to do. Jesus answered and said to them, “You unbelieving…”. (Luke 9:41). This is not Jesus’ lamentation to them but His righteous response by identifying their problem. The disciples were true believers, they know who Jesus is (Luke 9:20), but they failed to apply their faith to this situation. Faith is simply trusting in Jesus and His Word. It is obvious to put our faith in God because He is God. No one else will do. Whatever happens, no matter what is going on, what you need most is faith. The boy was in the midst of a painful episode, yet Jesus calls them unbelieving. He points out their lack of faith in a situation that seems medical and physical (Luke 8:24-25). Be assured, faith is the solution (Luke 8:50). Our God works through faith. Sometimes people’s professionalism and expertise can be a hindrance to God’s work because it can rob our peace of mind and limit our dependence on Him. Jesus knows your problem and how to handle it.

Not only did they lack faith but Jesus also called them a “perverted generation”. Perverted means twisted or distorted. Today’s generation is also perverted, deviating from God’s truth and twisting things for their own sinful purposes (Deut 32:5). Jesus is accusing the disciples of following the pattern of the Israelites in the Old Testament. They are twisting their understanding of Jesus the Messiah, resisting the suffering that Jesus will go through (Luke 9:22). Your faith must not be perverted but in the Jesus of the Bible.

With the concerns of the world (work, family, kids, health, and finances), we neglect our concern for our faith. We ignore the warnings from our ministers and God’s Word until it’s too late and we are in trouble. Jesus says, “How long shall I be with you and put up with you?” Jesus is saying time is running out. Soon He will die on Calvary and ascend into heaven. He won’t be with them physically which is why they will need faith. We must be more urgent about our faith while waiting for our day of redemption (Eph 4:30). Jesus is not physically present, but by faith, we know He is with us. Disobedience builds a hardness to God’s presence and His word (Numbers 14:40,43). Harry Reeder said, “The felt and sustained presence of God is more important than any success in life, even life itself.” Do you feel God is hiding his face from you (Deut 35:20). Then you must examine your faith. Then confess your sins and repent.

After Jesus gives His diagnosis, He says “Bring your son here”. Jesus exercises His authority and commands them. He displays that He is God-worthy of our faith. Jesus is fully man (Luke 2:52) and fully God. As a man, Jesus subjected Himself to limitations and also learned, and grew in faith and obedience (Hebrews 5:7-8). Jesus grew in faith through practice. He started small but eventually, His faith was strong to endure the cross. Jesus’ faith also grew through prayer. It takes faith to pray and prayer is faith. The wonderful truth is that God listens to our prayers. Jesus’ faith also grew through suffering. Our suffering is not by chance but under God’s intentional sovereign will. Suffering is not needless or wasteful but God causes it for our good (Romans 8:28). If you are suffering now, you have reason to be thankful and joyful because God is growing your faith for His glory.

In Luke 9:42, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy. Faith works! However right before Jesus healed, there was one final resistance. The demon threw the boy into convulsions in a final dramatic attempt to destroy him. The same occurs with faith and sin. Before we see faith’s result, we go through a final struggle (2 Cor 4:8; Job 23:10). Faith that is tested comes out as gold. 

Jesus gave the boy back to his father. What a touching moment. The father has received back his only son. How loving our Lord is to restore this son to his father. God also works through faith to restore us to Himself. Faith comes first and it results in the most wonderful and powerful love. In all circumstances, we must remember, the only thing that counts is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).

In this two-part series on The Absolute Necessity of the Christ Jesus, the text will be separated by the negative and the positive aspects of rejecting and believing in Jesus Christ. This week, the negative aspect will be covered. A person and society that does not heed to the words of Jesus Christ and lives by them only end in tragedy and powerlessness.

Tragedy Without Jesus

The father of a demon-possessed son approaches Jesus and begs him to help as Luke describes in detail what the son is going through. Although the description is physical, the problem is spiritual. When the boy was suffering a spiritual attack, Jesus was absent. In other words, the boy’s story shows the tragedy of the world as most reject Jesus Christ. If there is no Jesus, the order in society dissipates. If there is no Jesus, there is no lasting satisfaction.

The Christian is “against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). No one can overcome them except Jesus Christ. Therefore, everyone needs Jesus to fight against and defeat these evil forces. The person or world without Jesus remains in darkness. But when Jesus is present, the darkness is removed as it was in the demon-possessed boy’s case.

Powerlessness Without Jesus

There is a warning for Christians in this text (v 40). Just as the disciples were unable to cast out the demon, Christians that are not abiding in the Lord Jesus become powerless (Jn. 15:5). Without Jesus, believers are able to do nothing. Consequently, believers will succumb to Satan’s schemes and circumstances.

Why are Christians victims rather than victors in today’s world? The sobering point Jesus makes is to have practical faith by listening to Jesus’ words. Even Christians mix Jesus’ words with so many other voices that deter or distract them from living by faith. Living by faith is to deny self, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus Christ alone (Matt. 16:24). When Jesus is the only object of faith, he can use the believer to powerfully work for his glory. Therefore, the believer must hang onto Jesus alone as he is able to do all things.

There are two ways God deals with believers and unbelievers who are not abiding in Jesus. Believers are chastised whereas unbelievers are punished. Unbelievers are punished in different ways. God leaves them alone and he does not give the heart of repentance. For believers, God is Father and chastises those that fall under the temptation of their fleshly desires. God’s discipline is always beneficial and profitable for the Christian for his glory. It also brings the believer nearer to him and reminds them of the necessity of remaining in the Lord.

Disconnected from Christ Jesus, unbelievers remain in the darkness and believers can be swayed this way and that. But when the Christian abides in the Lord Jesus Christ, they hear his words and put their trust in him. The God who did not spare his only Son calls the believer to live by faith and obedience in Christ Jesus as he is absolutely necessary not just for salvation, but for ongoing sanctification and growth.

The first thing we must understand about Jesus’ transfiguration is that Jesus is God. He is God full of glory and power. He also has a task, a work to do on earth, which is to suffer for our atonement on the cross and rise again from the dead for our salvation. His transfiguration is a preview of His future kingdom. Finally, we must understand that because of what God says, salvation is in Jesus alone. “This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to Him!” This makes Christ and Christianity unique and exclusive from any other religion.

People might accuse Christians of Christian’s being arrogant for claiming to have the exclusive truth and salvation. However, it is not arrogance but faithfulness. The central pillar of the gospel is Christ alone. We must not be ashamed of the gospel but honor Christ by being faithful to Him.

Man’s Religion

‘Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep’ (Luke 9:32). They wake and see Jesus in glory standing with Moses and Elijah. It looks as if Moses and Elijah are about to leave (Luke 9:33). So Peter calls out to Jesus, “Master!” and proposes to build a tabernacle for them similar to their tradition in the Feast of Booths. Peter was simply overjoyed and wanted to stay in that environment continually. The problem with Peter’s proposal was that earlier in verse 31, Jesus had already mentioned His work and purpose which was to die on the cross. Peter had forgotten Jesus’ words. With an earthly mindset, Peter wanted to remain in this special comfort while Jesus already had determined to suffer. 

Man’s religion comes with man’s faulty reasoning. They forget the Creator and His words but only think about what they see. They live based on their observations instead of what the Creator has done and said (Romans 1:20). Man’s religion can only go as far as general revelation and reject the special revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, in Buddhism, enlightenment is achieved when a man observes and realizes certain aspects of himself. Ascetics will never reach true salvation and overcome the problem of sin and God’s judgment (Job 42:7). By their own reasoning, they will never accept Jesus Christ.

Peter tries to make three tabernacles, for Jesus plus Moses and Elijah. Another thing man’s religion tries to do is include other saviors instead of worshipping Jesus Christ alone. These foolish attempts stem from a wrong view of sin. Other religions elevate men to the same status as Jesus because they do not understand how wicked we all are. Buddha, Mohammed, and all other religious leaders are sinners. They cannot compare to Jesus the sinless One. Their religions have to rely on external works. They make foolish attempts to change or overcome through external performances (Matthew 23:27-28,34) but there is no hope in man’s religion.

God’s Presence

While Peter was talking nonsense, God appeared in a cloud and overshadowed them. They become afraid. To clarify, the cloud is not God, but God will appear and represent Himself through a cloud (1 Kings 8:10-11). God is in fact Spirit (John 4:24) without material. He is immortal, invisible, and infinite. Another distinguishing aspect of Christianity, which no other religion understands, is that God is spirit. Hence why the second of the Ten Commandments is so significant (Exodus 20:4). How we understand God determines how we respond to His words. This is a special moment where God is giving a privileged and exclusive message to a certain group. We must pay attention when God speaks. He specifically and personally tells Peter, James, and John, “This is my Son, listen to Him”.

Peter recalls this moment in 2 Peter 1:17-19. He was there and heard God speak directly while simultaneously telling us that we must pay attention to the Scriptures. This shows that the Bible is the same as God’s direct words. God speaks through the Bible. We need the Holy Spirit to understand His word (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only those who are regenerated by God’s grace can truly obey them. This is why Christianity is exclusive.

God’s message to us is, “This is my Son”. Jesus is God’s son. All the false religions and cults fail at understanding the Trinity. Jesus is the Son, who is the Word and became flesh (John 1:1,14; Hebrews 1:3-6). He is fully and exactly God. “He is my Chosen One”. Jesus is the only one commissioned by God to die in our place. Only Jesus saves us. No one else is chosen by God.

Finally, God says, “Listen to Him”. The Christian only listens to Jesus. No one else. Obedience requires faith. Even though Jesus healed many people, no one was saved without faith. Only by faith in Jesus Christ will God be satisfied. God said, “Listen to Him” and we respond in faith. 

After God finished speaking, Jesus was found alone (Luke 9:36). One day, everyone, the believer and the unbeliever will all stand before God in judgment. For those who are Christian, you will face God but it will not be alone. Jesus will be there, standing for you. Praise the Lord!

Jesus then tells the disciples not to speak of what they saw (Matthew 17:9). Based on the disciples’ silence, we see their obedience. Do you hear God’s voice declaring Jesus alone is His Son and His Chosen One and to listen to Him? A central and essential tenet of Christianity is knowing Jesus is God, our Savior and we must listen to Him.

In this text, Luke shows God’s plan to provide salvation to men through Jesus Christ alone. This plan included Jesus dying on the cross and being raised up on the third day in order to destroy sin and death. Jesus’ disciples did not agree and liked what the Lord was about to go through, which ultimately questioned God’s sovereign and perfect plan. There are those that have the same mind today; that is, not living by faith but by sight. In other words, there are those that truly submit to the will of God through faith and there are those that merely profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord but do not manifest in their lives through obedience or submission. Only those that have received God’s salvation through the gospel of Christ and behold the glorified Jesus alone.

The Originality of God’s Salvation

Man’s salvation was planned originally by God in heaven. Man’s only problem is sin and God alone is able to deal with that problem through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there are many that fail to know that sin is their primary problem. In contrast, the originality of God’s salvation is holy as it stems from God himself who is pure and sinless.

The Continuity of God’s Salvation

Oftentimes, many think God is different from the Old Testament versus the New Testament. This cannot be further from the truth as the Old Testament and New Testament are closely connected. The NT is a continuation of the OT and it references the OT throughout (2 Tim. 3:16). From the OT to the NT, God’s plan of salvation is set before the foundation of the world in heaven. For this reason, God’s salvation is trustworthy and undoubtedly perfect.

The Integrity of God’s Salvation

God’s salvation is also full of integrity in the pages of Scripture as revealed by God. God is honest and upright in his plan of salvation through Christ alone as fulfilled and written down in his Word. In heaven, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, in their glorified state, discuss Jesus’ death and departure as it is in God’s plan. They were speaking specifically of Jesus’ exodus from death into glory and heaven.

The word of God is inspired. Even though every biblical author had a different intellectual background and personality, God communicated through the Holy Spirit to inspire their writings that brought about the inerrant and infallible word of God. 

The Historicity of God’s Salvation

God’s plan of salvation was also practical as it was planned in Heaven and applied on Earth. Therefore, Luke includes the plan of salvation to be fulfilled in Christ alone that was “about to accomplish in Jerusalem” (v. 31). Christians that have been transformed by the gospel of Christ and are continuing in a life of faith and obedience are living in Jerusalem; that is the now, for the glory of God.

In Luke 9:26, Jesus says one day He will return in His full glory. Additionally, Jesus says some will get a taste of Jesus’ glory soon. Jesus wants to show His glory (John 1:14). The transfiguration is like a movie trailer giving a snippet of the full upcoming movie. This preview of His upcoming glory shows us how amazing He is and how we will be left speechless when He comes. Many people were already impressed by His miracles and teachings (Matthew 14:33; Luke 7:16). However the Transfiguration is incomparable to what Jesus revealed before. 

Why did Jesus reveal His glory? The reason is that soon He will head to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He will not be the political and militant Messiah they thought. Matthew 16:21-23. So He shows them who He truly is so they would remember His glory. It is also to teach the disciples and produce an active faith. He reveals His glory in the kingdom of God, which is proof that Jesus will fulfill His promises. This is the foundation of our faith and obedience (Genesis 15:6). We cannot live merely religiously or like the worldly, but personally knowing Jesus because He has revealed His glory to us.

The Transfiguration is not a myth or vision or metaphor. It really happened. The Bible is infallible and inerrant. It is right in both history and spirituality. In ancient times, true scientific evidence was based on eyewitness accounts (Deuteronomy 17:6). Jesus took three men (Peter, James, and John) with Him up the mountain to be His witnesses (2 Peter 1:16). Based on their testimony we know the Transfiguration really happened.

Many commentaries differ on what Luke 9:27 applies to. Some say this verse is unrelated to what is said in verse 26. Based on the context and the connecting word “But” we know that these two verses are related. “But I say to you” can be translated as “Thus says the Lord”. Luke’s top is not the second coming but Jesus’ glory (Isaiah 42:8). Jesus is saying that some of them will get to see His kingdom, meaning His glory, as an anticipatory statement for what will happen next.

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. They are Jesus’ close disciples and key leaders of the early church. It is significant to point out that they didn’t go read or learn but to pray. Prayer is the key to God’s glory. If you wish to see Christ’s glory then we must pray and if we would glow with the glory of Christ, we must be much in prayer (Spurgeon).

It says, “While He was praying”. Jesus is continually praying. He prayed for Peter when Peter denied Him. He prays in the garden before facing the cross. Jesus prayed because He was a man completely dependent on the Heavenly Father. But this time, while Jesus was praying, Jesus “became different”. Matthew and Mark say Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2). The word is transformed, metamorphosis. It describes a change in nature, like a caterpillar to a butterfly. His change was not superficial but a complete change. Neither was His change was caused by an external force but within Himself. 

The transfiguration proves Jesus is truly God, omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, and glorious (John 17:24, Philippians 2:6). He is dazzling and unable to be gazed upon without going blind. “His clothing became white and gleaming”. His glory and brilliance come from His nature and shines brilliantly. It is not reflective but emanates from His divine being. He is truly holy and we are unable to be in His overwhelming presence (Isaiah 6:5, Revelation 1:17, Ex 34:29) Without a doubt, Jesus is God glorified. He is the Light (1 John 1:5). All light and the light of all things come from Him (Gen 1:3, John 1:3-5). We must follow Him unless we perish in the darkness (John 8:12). We must be in Jesus Christ or we are not saved. For those who are saved, when we are in heaven, we will not need a sun or moon because Jesus will be all the light we need (Rev 21:23). Jesus will come one day in full glory. This is our hope and joy.

How do we respond to the glory of Jesus Christ? We worship Him always and above all else. He is our Lord and we worship Him. Our lives must center around Him. We do all things under Him and for His glory. Lastly, we must live differently. Our lives must be problematic to this world because we follow the light of Christ. We go against the culture and its darkness. Our lives are an enigma to the world because we are different from them. The difference is our Lord, the glorified Jesus.

Self-denial is a supernatural gift from God through salvation in Christ. God’s salvation is granted in order that self-denial is possible through a life of obedience. At conversion, Christians begin a life of self-denial for the glory of God. What does this look like in everyday life? The Christian’s aim is to follow Jesus Christ as Lord according to the Word of God and imitate Christ in all things. The Lord promised those who practice self-denial salvation, prize, and honor.

Every self-denying believer is promised Christ’s salvation and deliverance. When deliverance occurs the sinner is saved from sin and self. This is the reason why Christians refuse to live a life of self, but rather to live for Christ and others. But before the Lord saves and delivers the sinner, the unbeliever is a slave to self.

Self-denial is attempted to be practiced in other religions and philosophies. However, all of them are not biblical because it is separate from Jesus Christ. Scripture clearly states self-denial is for Christ’s sake and not anyone else. The power of sin along with self is crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance and faith (Rom. 6:6). This is the only means to receive the gift of Christ’s salvation resulting in a life of following Jesus as Lord and Savior (Lk. 14:27-28). For this reason, all Christians are able to practice self-denial. In contrast, unbelievers are unable to practice self-denial and ultimately promote themselves or anything other than Christ.

Every self-denying believer is promised Christ’s prize. “For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself?” (v. 25). The Christian understands that this side of glory is short in comparison to eternity in heaven. This world is not the only life we live, but there is an afterlife where there will be judgment or award.

“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Cor. 9:25). The key difference between Christians and unbelievers is that self-control or self-denial is done for the Lord’s sake or not. Moreover, there will be judgment for the Christian’s prize to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the individual believer’s faithfulness. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12).

Every self-denying believer is promised Christ’s honor. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels (v. 26). This is a sober warning from Jesus Christ, but conversely this text can be a sobering reminder of Christ has promised.

When self-denial is practiced for the glory of God will be honored by Christ in heaven. “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9). Self-denial includes living out our faith and love for Jesus Christ in public. The testimony of the gospel of Christ is the only power and means for salvation so that others will believe and also receive the power to deny the self (Rom. 1:16).

How can we commit to not being ashamed of Jesus in this life through many difficult circumstances? Those that live in disobedience ultimately do not practice self-denial. They eventually reject Christ. However, we need to realize we are able to practice ongoing self-denial by means of God’s grace and power alone. If we are true Christians, self-denial must be demonstrated as we live cross-bearing lives. The only we can be more like Christ is to deny ourselves daily. Our faith and Christianity were only established as Jesus denied himself to the point of death on the cross.

Jesus here teaches something that at first seems paradoxical, “Lose your life to gain it”. However, this paradigm is a theme through Jesus’ ministry and teaching. Recently Budweiser hired a transgender man as their spokesperson to try to be inclusive. Since then, they have lost 5 billion dollars in company value. When someone commented on this backlash, they insightfully pointed out that Budweiser had forgotten its DNA and its core values. In a similar manner, self-denial is at the core of Christian life and one that has been forgotten. A failure to deny oneself is a recipe for a miserable and weak Christian. In verse 23, Jesus calls for everyone’s self-denial. This is set up in verse 22 where He sets the example. Our Lord suffered for us and we seek to be like Him.

Right now many Christians support abortion, gay Christians, transgender Christians, and Christians without a church. They are embracing the culture and what the culture demands. They foolishly believe that they can thrive as Christians while surrendering to the culture. Instead, Jesus taught the truth, suffered, bled, and died. He stood alone against the world and they hated Him. How can we expect to partake in the life and love of Jesus while embracing the world which is against Him? We must practice self-denial. We are not saved by self-denial but it is a part of our daily lives. When we deny ourselves, we die daily, and wonderfully Christ lives in us. This is the secret and source of our indomitable joy. 

Jesus will reward self-denial while self-pursuit leads to ruin (Mt 19:29). In verse 24, Jesus says, whoever wishes to save his life, will lose it. There is no salvation without self-denial. “Save his life” is trying to keep your life as it is and a rejection of Jesus Christ. It is self-will, self-aggrandizement, and self-desire. It is a refusal to submit and surrender to Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save the world but you must first surrender and believe in Him (John 3:16). If you fail to practice self-denial then you are your own god. You are your own idol (Luke 12:19).

Salvation and self-denial are related because Jesus saves us through His self-denial. He is God. He is the Word of God made flesh. He didn’t have to come. He was baptized and went through man’s perfect obedience through serving and suffering. He didn’t have to do any of this. He was the pinnacle of self-denial. The seed must die before it can grow and bear fruit. Apostle Paul understood the sin of his former life and forsook it (1 Timothy 1:13). Those who do not practice self-denial are dead to life and alive to sin. They try to cover their old life with good deeds but they cannot remove their sinful nature. There are also those who practice easy believe-ism. The gospel is simple but it is not easy. We are saved by grace through faith. No rituals or ceremonies. True salvation requires self-denial and the Lordship of Jesus Christ which results in obedience (1 John 2:3-4). 

Self-denial is for Christian living as well. We see many miserable Christians, who although they have the sufficient Word of God, act poor and weak. Those who are bitter, frustrated, weak, or miserable still have their pride (Erick Raymond). Ray Comfort is a great evangelist who has endured great ridicule and persecution while trying to share the gospel. Yet he is still gracious, loving, and joyful to everyone. He is humble. He has set aside his pride and follows Christ. Anyone in Christ will be changed. They will have the life of Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Those who fully embrace Christ will experience the joy and strength in Him which can not be found in your own self. Continually place your life in the Word of God. Examine yourself in the light of God’s Word, repent, and bear the fruit of obedience. 

Those who love self and the world will have no love for Christ. As a result, they compromise their faith because of their misplaced love. Jesus says self-denial leads to cross-bearing. Cross-bearing requires a choice, do you love the world or Jesus Christ? Those who love Jesus will bear the cross that He bore (2 Timothy 3:12). Those who love the world will live like the world (1 John 2:16). Many people foolishly do (Proverbs 14:12). The believer has the love of God and is to love Jesus fully (1 John 2:15). We are in the world but we are not of the world. 

The warning escalates to an ultimatum in Luke 9:26. Jesus says if you fail to deny yourself and instead deny Him, then He will deny you. Jesus always keeps His word. This is not an empty warning. He said He would rise on the third day and He did (Luke 9:22). Heaven and earth will pass away but Jesus’ words will not (Matthew 24:35). So we must heed the warning of Jesus.

We are ashamed of Jesus and deny Him for various reasons. First, because of our sin. The same warning is present in Matthew 7:22-23 against those who practice lawlessness. They don’t know Christ because of their sin. Also, the cross sounds foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18,23). We do not consider the Bible as God’s word and the gospel as God’s salvation because it does not align with the world’s wisdom. Thirdly, we love the approval of man (John 12:43). We fear the rejection of men rather than the rejection of Christ. Ask yourself. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Then you must stand firm. You might get hurt, you might lose your job, you might be rejected and you might suffer. But this is our practice of self-denial.

It is a common misconception to distinguish between the term Christian and the term ‘disciple’. There is no difference. If you are a true believer, then you are a disciple of Jesus. The word ‘disciple’ simply means follower and a Christian follows Jesus. The misconception is that it is easy to be a Christian but being a disciple means sacrifice and suffering. However, it was God’s will for Jesus to save sinners by dying on the cross to accomplish our forgiveness. It was through suffering that Jesus saved us. And it is also through self-denial and cross-bearing we follow Jesus. The modern church has made it easy to be a Christian without demanding any change in men. True Christianity requires and results in change (Luke 9:23).

The first and key sign of a true Christian is self-denial. Self-denial is abandoning yourself. Without self-denial, there can be no change or transformation so this is where true conversion begins. Jesus gives you a new life because the old life is gone. His terms are to leave that old life behind. Matthew 7:13 says the gate is narrow and small that leads to life and few will find it. The small gate (self-denial) is unpopular and difficult. In contrast, the big gate provides comfort, pleasure, and fun. We must deny ourselves because we cannot be saved by our own efforts. Titus 3:5 says Jesus saves us not on the basis of our deeds but by His mercy. By God’s love and washing of regeneration through the Holy Spirit we are saved. This is received through self-denial and repentance.

What is self? Self is immorality, impurity, evil desires, and greed (Colossians 3:5). These wicked things will bring God’s wrath and punishment. The most important issue we must address is how to rid ourselves of this wickedness, the judgment brought on by ourselves. Self is the fleshly carnal life of nature, the life of the first Adam, which is dead in trespasses and sins. The natural man is corrupt before God. Jesus said to come after Him, we must first get rid of self to be saved.

Denial means rejecting one’s self. Peter denied Jesus three times, distancing himself, and claiming not to know Jesus at all. Denying self says not I but Christ (Galatians 2:20). Your old self is crucified. You become insensitive to your old self, your sinful self, the self that was before meeting Jesus. That self is crucified and dead and now you live in Christ. In baptism, we bury ourselves and rise in the life of Jesus Christ. The Christian is dead to sin and given a new heart and life. Their desire is to live for Christ alone. When one denies their old self, they are able to trust Jesus in all circumstances. They realize the folly of sin and the goodness of the Heavenly Father (Luke 15:17). This is the process of repentance which is a gift of God. Many people try to change but fail because man has no ability to remove sin. Only in Jesus can the old go and the new come, because only Jesus was without sin and yet suffered in our place. He denied Himself in order to save us because we could not save ourselves.

Self-denial is not just at the beginning of conversion but a continual daily practice in our lives. We must not be like Simon in Acts 8:18-19 or Demas who went back to their old ways. We must not forget who God is and who we were and what we were saved from. We must not complain or be selfish when we don’t get what we want. Instead of blaming God, we must trust in Him even when it’s hard. Self-denial is self-forgetting; it’s forgetting our popularity or our accomplishments or what we did in the past. Jesus never boasted about what He did. He was always seeking the Father’s will. Self-denying is also humbly receiving correction. It’s hard admitting you’re wrong but it is a critical part of your sanctification. Without self-denial, it’s hard to grow in holiness. Matthew 6:33 Jesus says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Self-denial is seeking Jesus’ will, His glory, and His sovereignty. Self-denial is child-like faith (Matthew 18:2-3). Faith trusts in the Father. When we are in trouble, we run to the Father like a child crying for help.

After denying self, Jesus says you must take up your cross daily. Interestingly, Jesus said this before He was about to be crucified. Under Roman rule, only the worst of criminals would be crucified. It is one of the most painful means of execution. Cross-bearing is the willingness to endure shame, persecution, and danger for the sake of Jesus Christ. This is not just enduring the hardships of daily life. Life is hard but that’s not cross-bearing. Cross-bearing is directly related to suffering with Jesus Christ. For Christ’s sake, we endure persecution. It is standing up for the Bible and the truth of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:31) Apostle Paul says he dies daily for Christ’s sake as he risked his life while preaching Christ in hostile cities. Wonderfully, cross-bearing leads to the joy of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). There is a heavenly joy present in daily suffering.

Lastly, Jesus says “Follow me”. Again, this is a daily and constant following. He is the suffering Messiah and the risen Messiah. We follow the Risen Lord. Some say following Jesus is painful, but it is also worth it because it results in glory. That’s why the early Christians could follow Jesus no matter the persecution. Though difficult, God provides all we need to follow Him. The disciples were sent out to preach the gospel with nothing (Luke 9:3). But in Luke 9:22 Jesus asks if they lacked anything and they responded with “no, nothing”. God graciously provided what they needed. Spurgeon observed this same provision and joy when visiting George Muller. How good God is that provides everything that was needed to help 300 orphans. How did this happen? By the daily practice of a faithful man who denied himself, takes up his cross, and followed Jesus. If we also practice true faith, then God will provide for us as well. God’s provision can be our testimony. So deny yourself, bear your cross, and follow Jesus as a true disciple.