Denying oneself is rare for us. We may deny ourselves a piece of fudge cake because we want to wear our clothes without squeezing into them. We deny ourselves sleep because we want to watch a late-night movie. We may limit our intake of caffeine and fatty foods for better health. While each of these may be a challenge for us, they are denials we choose to make ourselves better. But when was the last time you denied yourself something for the betterment of others? We live in a world that screams, ” Put yourself first, follow your heart, get all you can get, but Jesus says, ” deny yourself.
Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
The idea of denying ourselves is counter-cultural and misunderstood by those who do not understand what Jesus is teaching. They see denying yourself as restrictive, unfulfilling, and a life that is drudgery. They cannot see the joy that Jesus intends for us to experience. It is a freedom we gain by allowing God to be in complete control of our lives. It is placing our trust in Him, knowing that He desires and has what is best for us. A life surrendered to Him is an adventure as we take each step following Him in obedience. We spend so much of our lives chasing what we think will make us happy and fulfilled, when God already knows what we need to be fully satisfied.
We think we must do everything on our own. We must be in control. If anyone understands this, I do. I am a planner to the max. Yet, I have learned to keep my schedule open and ready for interruptions. If God is in control of my life, I must be flexible so I can see opportunities He is affording me to share Him with others. Living this way is not being irresponsible with my time and efforts. It is quite the opposite. It is being in tune with the Holy Spirit and recognizing His presence and leadership in all situations.
The second part of verse 23 tells us to take up our cross daily. The cross is the tool of death—death to our pride, anger, and selfishness. It is a daily choice that must be monitored in minutes and hours as we face the challenges of the day. While this sounds painful, it is the pathway to true freedom. When we stop trying to build our own kingdom, we are free from the anxiety, fear, and frustration that come with trying to control everything. Self-denial is ultimately an act of trust, believing that what God has for us is better than what we can secure for ourselves.
Jesus teaches us in Luke 9:24 that whosoever takes charge of his life, being the master of his own life, will in the end lose it. However, the one who “loses,” meaning to surrender control, will save it in the end. The world wants you to believe you must get all you can while here because there is no hereafter. That is a ploy of Satan to gain your soul in Hell. He wants to deceive us, to cause us to miss all that Heaven has to offer. He hates us, and he hates God. His hate is a vengeful hate. When he sought to exalt himself above God in heaven, God cast him out. Since that time, his desire has been to destroy all who are made in God’s image.
Denying ourselves is not doing without the physical needs for life. Rather, it means to say no to the demanding ego we all have that insists on being the center of the universe. It is making Jesus the Lord and Master of our lives both here and in the hereafter. We take ourselves off the throne of our lives and surrender that allegiance to Jesus. We tend to make every situation in our lives about us. When someone is dying, we think about how it is going to affect us. When our family plans a trip, we think about what we want, not what others may enjoy. When we prepare meals, we make sure there is something we like. Every situation automatically leads us to see how it will affect us. Jesus says, ” Forget about yourself, and He will take care of us.
Luke 9:24 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
As I write often, it is examination time. Today and every day, ask God to show you the areas of your life you are holding on to for control. It may be your time, your money, or even your relationships. Ask God to show you ways to put others’ needs above your own. We are never more like Christ than when we serve without expecting any recognition. Seeking only to honor and glorify God. Jesus said it best when He was in agony, praying before paying the price for our sins on the cross. Even the Son who was equal to the Father said, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
