Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple...
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Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple. Self-denial is at the heart of Christian discipleship. John Calvin in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, III, 7 elaborates on his understanding of self-denial: "We are not our own; therefore neither our reason nor our will should predominate in our deliberations and actions. We are not on our own; therefore let us not propose it as our end, to seek what may be expedient for us according to the flesh. We are not our own; therefore let us, as far as possible, forget ourselves and all things that are ours. On the contrary, we are God's; to him, therefore, let us live and die. We are God's; therefore let his wisdom and will preside in all our actions. We are God's; toward him, therefore, as our only legitimate end, let every part of our lives be directed."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his provocative book The Cost of Discipleship, conveys the same thought in briefer language: "When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his provocative book The Cost of Discipleship, conveys the same thought in briefer language: "When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die."
