THE POWER OF SELF-ABNEGATION

THE POWER OF SELF-ABNEGATION:

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:4-11).

Beloved, in keeping with my information on the possibility of my interlacing this series I started on the discoveries and revelations that writers of the books of the Bible had concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I want to exhort all of on "THE POWER OF SRLF-ABNEGATION
".

Man, since after his fall at the Garden of Eden, has a very peculiar nature that pits him against the Almighty God. That is self. At his fall through deference to Satan’s influence, man acquired the nature of self-life which Satan manifested in the book of Isaiah chapter 14.This self-life started soothing out branches of different natures. It presents itself in form of the following: self-exaltation, self-conceitedness, self-centeredness, self-opinionate
dness, self-consciousness, self-adulation, and all the other negative self-derived adjectives.
Now, when a man or woman comes to the Lord Jesus Christ through sincere repentance and sound reconciliation with God, he or she realizes how insignificant we are before the Almighty God. And,that realization will generate awe and reverential fear which would, in turn, inspire voluntary self-abnegation and self-effacement in such a person. That is exactly what the gracious Lord wants to lead us into this day. Meanwhile, let us examine this subject from the following perspectives:

1. SOUND EXHORTATION TO SELF-ABNEGATION:
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2:4, 5).

We, really, have sound exhortations in the Bible. This exhortations, if imbibed, would transform our characters and endear us to God. Unfortunately, many today, even among so called Christians, do not take all these profitable admonitions to heart.

Meanwhile, one of these inspired exhortations that is quite unique and outstanding is that of self-abnegation which we are examining this day. Self-abnegation is well promoted in the Bible because of its divine benefits.Actually, any man or woman that exhibits it will invariably realize how sinful he or she is before the Lord and also seek for means of reconciliation with God, which is repentance.

2. SAVIOUR’S EXAMPLE OF SELF-ABNEGATION:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Phil.2:5-8).

There are some virtues that we cannot learn from any other character other that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. One of such virtues is that of self-abnegation. The lesson on self-abnegation was perfectly and exclusively taught by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ both in words and deeds.

He exemplified practical self-abnegation and self-effacement. Think about the glory and grandeur of Heaven that He voluntarily and magnanimously left to come to this defiled and debased world of sinners. Not only that, He also vicariously went to the cross for us. And, that was with its attendant shame and ridicule. That is the zenith of self-abnegation .And, you know what? We should be challenged and take a decision to emulate it, if we are truly His children.

3. SUPERNATURAL EXALTATION FOR SELF-ABNEGATION:
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11).

If anybody is doubtful of the power and benefit of self-abnegation, let him or her consider the position that our Lord Jesus Christ occupies today. Exalted beyond limits. That the mere mention of His name, not only sends cold shivers down the spine of the Devil, but also, destroys all his powers and machinations, automatically. That is why, my friend, we need to come down from our treacherous ivory towers and humbly seek the face of the Lord for Him to help us. And you know what? He will help you, if you are sincere. God bless you abundantly in Jesus name.Amen.

Source: Chidiebere Dennis Owah