“One of the consequences of sin is that it makes the sinner pity himself instead of causing him to turn to God. One of the first signs of new life is that the individual takes sides with God against himself.” ― Donald Grey Barnhouse
Jesus challenged his disciples:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
We have to choose a side. There is nothing in me that wants to take up a cross or follow Jesus. It is God who impresses on me the necessity of this things, like another waking up their children for school. They would much rather stay under warm covers and sleep than to be obedient.
We have no problem choosing between
fear and faith
joy or sadness
salad or dessert
We know which is in our best interest. It is when Christ offers us
a narrow road or a wide road
a narrow gate or a wide gate
seek the Kingdom or seek our own fortune
The Apostle Paul tells us there is a choice between feeding and leading from our Flesh or Spirit
We can choose, but most of the time we choose in our own best interest.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12
Knowing the end of one of our choices should makes our choosing all the more easy.