The Only Way to Follow Jesus

This is brought out with all clarity by Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23. He says it with these words: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . . .”

There is only one single obstacle and difficulty, and that is our “self”: our self-will, everything that we think and have an opinion about. When this one obstacle is cleared out of the way, hour by hour and day by day, we can follow Jesus’ steps, learn from Him, and become like Him—not in any other way. Everything else is only empty talk and beating the air.

For this reason we have the doctrine about being crucified with Him—constantly surrendering our own life into death as we receive light about more of our self-life.

There is especially one thing that characterizes a sinner and a soulish person: they are so restless. They cannot be still. Isa. 57:20. They cannot rein in their tongue. Therefore their religion is in vain. Where there are many words, there is no lack of sin. Such people do not walk on the way of life. They do not follow Jesus at all because they do not deny themselves in their daily life. You can hear that a long way off!

Their restless soul, their self-life, can be compared to a boiling witches’ cauldron! They spew out a constant torrent of words of what they think about everything and everyone. They criticize and judge everything and everyone, instead of judging themselves and denying themselves all this talkativeness and lust to judge others.

Women are, on average, most addicted to this vain and meaningless madness. Flowery dresses in all the colors of the rainbow are no help at all. The only thing that helps is, as Jesus said, to deny yourself, and take up your cross daily.

Jesus also said that we are to give account for every idle word. Alas! Alas! What a terrible accounting that will be!—having to give account for many thousands of words!

Open up your Bible concordance and read thoughtfully under “quiet.” What have you done with these commandments and exhortations to be quiet? By and large, most people have not bothered with them at all! This is evidence of a crying lack of the fear of God and deadly seriousness. It is ungodly! It is the very opposite of denying yourself and following Jesus and becoming like Him.

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.” 1 Tim. 2:11. This means that first of all, she does not come with objections or contradictions and secondly, that she does not come with unnecessary questions. How has it gone with you in this area, dear sisters?

One of the most glorious and gracious things is rest in God. “For we who have come to faith do enter that rest.” Heb. 4:3. To which faith have we come? To a living faith of being crucified with Christ and no longer living for ourselves. Gal. 2:20. How can you be so restless and cause so much commotion if you no longer live for yourself? It is completely impossible! In other words, you are still living for yourself, instead of denying yourself.