DENY YOURSELF, GOD’S CHOSEN ONE

Think about this: a geography textbook isn’t written for just anyone — it’s intended for students who are ready to learn that subject. The same is true for physics or biology books. If someone picks up those books without being a student of the subject, the information may not make sense to them or benefit them. And those books weren’t written to be skimmed like a magazine — they were written to be studied, to provide knowledge that helps students succeed in life and pass their exams.

If a student rushes through the book without understanding it — even if they manage to read the entire thing in one day — they’ll still fail the test. That’s because the authors intended for the material to be learned gradually, reflected on, compared with other knowledge, and applied. That’s why real learning often takes years.

In the same way, the Bible is the Book of Life, and it wasn’t written for casual readers. It was written for disciples — true students of God’s Kingdom. Some people read it like a newspaper and gain nothing. But the true follower of Christ reads it as the very foundation of their life. Their future depends on it; it is the key to eternal life. That’s why the Bible says:

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

(Proverbs 4:13, NIV)

This isn’t talking about worldly education. The primary focus is on the wisdom of God — the teaching that leads to eternal life. As Jesus said:

Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.

(Matthew 13:52, ESV)

Where there is learning, there is a school. And where there is a school, there are teachers, students, and a curriculum. In the new life of a believer, the school is life in Christ, the Holy Spirit is the Teacher, and the Bible is the curriculum.

Who are the students? They are those who have been born again, who have chosen to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

(Luke 9:23-24, ESV)

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

(Luke 14:27, ESV)

Just as a boarding student leaves behind family, comfort, and freedom to focus on learning, so a follower of Christ leaves behind the old life — even the desires of parents and friends — to pursue eternal life.

Christianity is not a life of constant ease and prosperity, as false teachers often claim. Jesus Himself warned:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33, NIV)

And Paul reminds us:

Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

(Acts 14:22, ESV)

Just as schools require uniforms and discipline, so does the Christian walk require outward holiness that reflects inward transformation.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

(Romans 12:2, NIV)

If you are born again, your lifestyle, dress, and appearance will change to honor God. Paul writes:

I want women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

(1 Timothy 2:9-10, ESV)

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

(1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Christianity isn’t a matter of coming in and out as we please. Once you are in Christ, you are His. If you walk away, you’ve left His school. And the Holy Spirit’s discipline is directed toward those inside the school — His true children — not outsiders.

The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.

(Hebrews 12:6, ESV)

When you enroll in this school of Christ, you receive the curriculum (God’s Word) and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But if you rely only on what you hear in church and never study the Bible yourself, you’ll fail when trials come. Paul urges:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

(2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Just as graduation from school brings honor after hardship, so will perseverance in Christ bring eternal reward:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

(James 1:12, NIV)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

(Matthew 13:43, ESV)

Peter asked Jesus what reward there would be for leaving everything behind:

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:28-29, ESV)

This is the great reward Christ holds out to His students!

When Christ calls you to repentance, to leave sin behind, to be baptized by immersion in His name, and to forsake the world, He is not trying to make life harder for you — He is enrolling you in His school, preparing you for a far greater honor than anything on earth.

And remember — no true school exists without rules. That’s why He says, “Deny yourself.” Let go of worldly fashions, immodest clothing, artificial adornments, and anything that draws attention to self instead of glorifying God.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

(Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

In worldly schools, you obeyed uniform rules without argument. How much more should we obey the commands of Christ, our Chief Teacher! Don’t be deceived by the lie that God only looks at the heart and doesn’t care about the outside — the heart and body are connected.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

(1 Corinthians 6:19, ESV)

Education is the key to life. Don’t think only about today — think about eternity. Don’t let old sins cause you regret forever. Become a student of Christ today.

May the Lord bless you richly as you follow Him!

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