Prosperity Gospel & Self Denial

Do you wanna be a Christian? Do you? This is the END of YOU!

All the wisdom, all that you have learned from all the world's geniuses, all the insights that you have accumulated has amounted to absolutely nothing. This is not the Gospel of self-fulfilment. This is not about you. This is the Gospel about self denial. When you made the decision to believe, you denied yourself. (Luke 9:23). You literally disown yourself. You have to refuse any association with yourself, to disconnect from yourself. John MacArthur said,

"Let me learn by paradox. That the way down is the way up, the way low is the way high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the triumphant soul, that to have nothing is to possess everything, that to bare the cross is to wear the crown, that to give up everything is to receive all. It's the prayer Lord, let me find your light in my darkness, your joy in my sorrow, your grace in my sin, your riches in my poverty, your glory in my humiliation, your life in my death. That's a hard thing to accept."

It's insulting to your self-determining will. It's a call to fall down to your feet and deny yourself. It's not an ascension to the next level or some deeper understanding to life. You want into the Kingdom? Then it's the end of you, it's over! You hate your sins. You don't want anything to do with your self, nothing to do with your own desires. How desperately do you want the gift of eternal life? How much are you willing to give up? It's about denying yourself picking up your cross. This is not the Gospel that will give you everything you want in this world. This is the Gospel that will take everything you want and everything you have. John 12:25 says, He who hates his life will keep his life eternal. It's not the Gospel of self-fulfilment. This is the Gospel of self suicide. It's the polar opposite of the popular "feel good" message. How come the path is so narrow? (Luke 13:24,25). Because self-denial is so hard. As lost as the rich man on the road, the undenied spirit will not inherit the Kingdom of God. You have to give all your life to God. Everyday.