September 9, 2011 - Don't Try To Save Yourself
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:36-39 (ESV)
What would have happened if Christ would have "Saved Himself" and given Himself relief from His suffering sacrifice?
Simple, the spiritual benefits of that sacrifice would not exist. We would not be reconciled to God. Where God is there is life. We would die in our sin.
You cannot save yourself from anxiety, pain, anger, boredom or sadness with anything apart from turning to God. When we do, the results are not spiritual, they are carnal and result in worldly temporary solutions. God rewards us for spiritual sacrifice and those results are lasting in one way or another.
What should we sacrifice? Saving ourselves, comforting ourselves, splurging to feel like we had some fun. That goes against everything we are told. "Take care of yourself", "It is time to think of you", "You need to move on and do what's best for you." If we are serving ourselves, serving others or taking care of ourselves for human praise or acceptance we are wasting our sacrifice. It has to be done for God or it is just empty.
Dying to live, giving to receive and emptying to be filled are contrary to the common way of thinking. When done for Christ however, the results are nothing short of spectacular.
It is hard to believe but give it a try. Give up some food , turn to God instead and pray. It is not a quick high like eating an entire block of cheese with a bag of chips. I think if I did this for one month straight, I might be amazed.
Some new cards:
