Many people think that
having fun does not equate to doing what God wants. Sadly, there are even some
people in the church who believe that. Friends, that’s not true. God is no
killjoy. He’s the one who gives real joy.
Jesus told us in John
10:10 that He doesn’t want to take away our joy. Rather, He wants us to have
full of it. He said, “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy;
I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.”
We must believe that
Christ means what He says. But in order for us to enjoy life the way He wants
us to, there is something important for us to do, and without doing it we won’t
experience the full life that He promises.
It’s called self-denial.
‘How Can I Deny Myself and Have Fun?’
It’s biblical truth
that the way to enjoy the life that Christ gives is through following Him. And
in order to follow Him, we have to deny ourselves.
“Then Jesus said to
his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your
own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'” (Matthew 16:24)
We can’t follow Christ
if we want to go our own way. If we want to follow Him, we have to go all-in.
‘But I Won’t be Able
to Enjoy Myself If I Deny Myself!’
You could be thinking
by now that Jesus was speaking metaphorically or ironically. Truth is He’s
saying the truth. The only way to follow Him is to follow Him, and not
ourselves. As a bonus, Jesus added another truth that we should know.
“If you try to hang on
to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you
will save it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Simply put, friends,
if we try to find a way to enjoy life apart from Christ, we won’t have the joy
that only He can give. There’s no other salvation apart from His.
There’s no other way
to the Father except through Him. There’s no other way to enjoy a full life
that God alone can give except through Christ.
‘So What Do I Do?’
Come to Jesus. Repent
of your sins, and ask for His forgiveness. Put your faith in His finished work.
Surrender your life to Him, and follow Him. Make Him your delight and joy, and
He will make sure to grant you the desires of your heart, just like He did
mine.
“I tell you the truth,
unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But
its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those
who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for
their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve
me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will
honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12:24-26)
“Come to me, all of you who are struggling
and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Jesus, speaking
in Matthew 11:28-30)
“Trust in the Lord,
and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself
also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
· SOURCE ChristianToday
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