Self-Denial 2023: True Freedom

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.

Luke 4:18 (NASB)

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel's will save it.

Mark 8:35 (NKJV)

Because God's ways are higher than our ways, because His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (see Isaiah 55:9), it seems strange to us to gain life from death. But our Maker loves a good paradox.

The dictionary defines 'paradox' as 'a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd, but in reality expresses a possible truth.'

When God is speaking, truth isn’t possible, but absolute. I like how G.K. Chesterton defines the word, paradox: 'Truth standing on her head to attract attention.'

God specializes in surprise outcomes, like exaltation from humility, strength from weakness, receiving from giving, leading from serving, victory from loss, beauty from ashes, gladness from mourning, joy from pain, and resurrection from death.

Do they still happen? Yes! 

'For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God' (1 Corinthians 3:19). 'Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men' (1 Corinthians 1:25).

In a grand, underlying irony, true freedom is found in true surrender. William Booth, legendary founder of the Salvation Army, puts it this way: 'The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender.' 

I'm still working on making that measure. I believe surrender is a process.

Because a necessary condition of true surrender is self-denial. 'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?' (Mark 8:36). If we gain the world, then we lose Jesus.

Self-Denial 2023: True Freedom (Part 10: Conclusion)

* Isaiah 55:9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055%3A9&version=NKJV

NOTE: This is a 2022 update of a 2012 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.