First things really should be first

So, the first action required of any person calling themselves Christian is self-denial.

"And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34 (ESV)

The others, cross bearing and obedience (following) are frankly impossible without self-denial. Cross bearing would, and often does, take on an air of self-righteousness when we proceed past the first necessary thing.

Jesus himself, prior to the agony and humiliation of the cross, said "not my will, but thine". Clearly, we've got to figure out self-denial so that we can do likewise. What is it, then? How does one proceed. First, consider the greatness of the one you desire to follow and his gifts to you. Your own stature will not simply diminish, it must be replaced. Self-denial isn't simply ascetic desert dwelling or poverty oaths (although, these must not be cast immediately away as many in our culture do so easily...don't replace the error of those things with a different error).

We can see denial played out in Peter's actions on the night Christ was arrested. He, in so many words, denied knowing or having any relationship with Jesus. He didn't simply say "he's not my boss - I do what I want" or "yeah, he's a good guy, but I've found something better". Peter behaved as if Jesus had never entered his life.

Now, apply that to one's own consideration of self. What would it look like, not simply to stoop from a high place and deign to serve others but to assume a posture of one who has denied himself as Peter denied Jesus? How would we speak differently? How would we spend out time differently? How would we spend our money differently? I'm certainly not a cookbook author, and I make no attempt at a recipe for self-denial. Here are some questions I think have validity for us in considering the options life presents:

1) Would this (time, money, energy) benefit someone else? What would self-denial look like here?

2) Is my self-denial building pride or anger as a result? Have I failed to adopt the humility of Christ in it?

3) Have I developed a sense of complacency by comparing my level of self-denial with others who carry the name Christian?

4) When I'm alone and faced with "free" time, do I consider others or choose only among options benefitting myself?

I'm sure there are others. Self-denial is not easy - when it's not being driven by increased awareneness of God's mercy.