The Rule
Deny yourself. Follow Christ. Daily.
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23
Ascet comes from the Greek word for training — the root of ascetic, a life of self-denial. Not self-hatred, stoicism, or proving ourselves. Saying no to ourselves so we can say yes to Him — and doing it daily.
We deny ourselves so that we can follow Christ more fully.
Devotion.
Discipline. Surrender.
The goal is not discipline. The goal is God. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
Devotion
Turn toward God. Prayer, Scripture, worship, communion with Him.
Who are you pursuing?
Discipline
Train yourself to remain faithful. Do not let your pursuit of God depend entirely on mood, motivation, convenience, or emotion.
How do you remain faithful when motivation fades?
1 Timothy 4:7 — “Train yourself for godliness.”
Surrender
Give God your whole life. Your comfort, plans, pride, and will.
What are you willing to lay down to follow Christ?
Luke 9:23
Run. Endure. Strip.
Fight. Finish.
Not a training plan. Devotion, discipline, and surrender, lived out.
Run
Pursue God.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1–2
Keep following Christ. Keep moving toward Him when it would be easier to drift. Not a race against anyone else.
Endure
Long faithfulness over occasional intensity.
“Let us run with endurance.” Hebrews 12:1
Continue when feelings fade, through dry seasons, and when obedience becomes costly.
Strip
Remove what keeps you from God.
“Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” Hebrews 12:1
Distraction. Pride. Sin. Noise. The habits that master you. Going without isn’t holy in itself — we lay these aside to follow Him more freely.
Fight
The good fight is quiet and costly.
“Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:12
Temptation, complacency, the desire to quit. The fight is never against people. It is the fight to remain faithful.
Finish
Finish faithful.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Not applause, recognition, or appearing disciplined. Faithfulness.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.
James 1:22
Live the Rule means live what you profess to believe. The Rule is not a replacement for Scripture, not legalism, and not a way to earn God’s love. Because we belong to Christ, we want to follow Him — the Rule simply helps us do it on purpose, every day.
We seek God before comfort.
We deny ourselves, take up our cross,
and follow Christ. Daily.
We do not merely hear the Word.
We live it.
Live set apart.
Live the Rule.