When Jesus called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:35)
The most profound truth every believer must embrace is this: we are not meant to be the masters of our own lives and destinies. To grasp this vital truth is to acknowledge that the One who gave us life is the only One worthy to direct it. Therefore, because we are in Christ, the perfect will, design, and purpose for our lives is that we be effective witnesses and ministers of who Jesus Christ truly is, and of what He has accomplished for humanity.
The greatest revelation for every believer is this: we must surrender our own will, abdicate the throne of self, and enthrone Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The Lord makes known that He can only fill us to the degree that we are willing to empty ourselves.
We will never live successfully for Jesus, nor attain to our full potential in Him, without first coming to the place of experiencing the death of our self-life. By laying down our claim to rule ourselves, we discover the freedom of Christ’s lordship.
When we abdicate the throne of self, we are crowned with His life, His power, and His purpose. Therefore, we must not hesitate, delay, or cling to what cannot save us:
- Our lives belong to Him.
- Our future belongs to Him.
- Our will belongs to Him.
And in that surrender, we will live not by our own strength, but by Christ who lives in us. Therefore, before the crown, there must be the cross. Before Christ reigns through us, He must first reign in us.
When we ourselves are dethroned, the King takes His rightful place. And when He reigns, we live not by the strength of self, but by the power of His indwelling life.
For further study, see: https://disciplesofchrist.co.uk/before-there-is-a-coronation-there-must-be-an-abdication/