However, in this verse the cross is not the end result. It enables us to obey. You can live a life of self-denial and sacrifice yet not "follow Him." In fact, you could choose self-denial and sacrifice and still be in rebellion against God!
The focus of what Jesus is saying is obedience! The only way we can obey is to take up the cross. For without death to our own agendas and desires we will eventually have a face-off between the will of God and the desire of man.
If we do not lay down our lives we will find a way of fulfilling our own wills and even use scriptures to back it! Sacrifice was scriptural, so Saul was scriptural in his desire to sacrifice animals as offerings. But he was disobedient to God's directive.
Does service to God include disobedience? If so, Satan would receive glory from our "scriptural" religious practices or sacrifices. He is the originator of rebellion.
But God declares, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Sam. 15:22). I rather obey than sacrifice. There is a time to sacrifice and that’s when we are de your flesh of its worldly desires.Then we sacrifice our sins to the cross of the master.
My name is Cesar and I’m a Voice in The Desert
#avoiceinthedesert
#vozeneldesierto
www.mywalkwithmycreator.com
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