"And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'”

Here is the summary of the Christian life: "Not as I will, but as you will." We take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow him.

Do not give in to the temptation that your life is more important than Christ. Deny your lusts, your will, and what you want. Live for the glory of the Son.

Deny your religion and self righteousness. Live by faith in the Son of God. Deny your strength. Deny your way of handling things, and choose the way of Christ. Deny your friends and family, if they come into contention. Matthew 10:37, "The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." Deny marriage, if you can't find a believer. Deny your children an education, if it interferes with the gospel. Deny everything about yourself, and follow him! It will be rewarded.

This is the good life of walking with God. It denies human power for God's glorious might… human righteousness for the fine covering of imputed righteousness… and human wisdom for a life serving God. It denies human pleasures for the Holy Spirit and the joy and comfort of believing [Rom 15:13]. It denies the temporary for the eternal.

Bless God! Denying ourselves is the best thing to ever happen to us. We are forgiven, and we have peace. We are safe and heaven bound.

Many can't see this, but it's revealed to God's elect. He shows us the value of Christ! Denying yourself is the best decision possible!

First, "he fell on his face and prayed." This is a hard life and a war! There's no smooth sailing. There's no easy route to heaven. There's difficulty and persecution! God's will runs contrary to our own, and we're going to give up things that we love.

This is good for us. Christ wanted to save himself. He was so tempted. That route, however, could not save others [Matt 27:42]. God's will is always PERFECT WISDOM, and it is good; it is better than selfish thinking! It's the salvation of others, and it is love at the cost of self.

Lay down your life, so you can gain it. Live for the church. Suffer for others. Matthew 10:39 — "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Secondly, "My Father." We have a Father in heaven - someone we can trust, who loves us immensely! His love, wisdom, and goodness are perfect. He makes no mistakes, and he hears us! Cast your burdens upon him. Come to him in your need. Know that he pities you.

He will not be cruel, and he'll give strength. He'll help us bear the burden. The wonders of grace are unimaginable, and he supplies our needs.

God forsook Christ but not us. He cried out in darkness - sustained, but utterly forsaken - so that we can be heard. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and we have a throne of grace. Use the benefit of your Father, and think well of him.

Thirdly, "nevertheless, not as I will." It doesn't matter what we want. Learn God's way. Come to him, saying, "Teach me, and I will learn. Put my feet on the straight path, and I'll walk in your precepts. Show me where I've erred, and I'll offend no more." Be submissive, child of God. Your Father delights to teach you.

Let it go, if it's not God's will. Suffer for Christ, who suffered for you. Lay it all on the line to please him, and gain the more.