SELF-SACRIFICE AND SELF-DENIAL: THE FORGOTTEN PATH OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Luke 9:23 NKJV
(23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
In an age where comfort is celebrated and self-expression is exalted, the call of Jesus remains unchanged. Self-sacrifice and self-denial are not extreme Christianity—they are biblical Christianity.
THE DEATH BEFORE THE DEATH
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
(20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Self-denial is not self-hatred; it is self-displacement. Christ does not improve the old man—He replaces him. As long as the self remains on the throne, Christ is reduced to an advisor in your life. When self dies, Christ reigns in you.
WHEN UZZIAH MUST DIE
Isaiah 6:1 NKJV
(1) In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.
Uzziah began well, but when he became strong, his heart was lifted up. (Read the full story in 2 Chronicles 26). Strength without submission led to pride. Spiritually, Uzziah represents misplaced strength – self-reliance, self-importance, and self-preservation in the life of the believer.
There are moments when God allows the “Uzziah” in our lives to die – not to destroy us, but to remove what blocks our vision of Him as Lord.
THE CROSS IS NOT DECORATIVE
Matthew 10:38 NKJV
(38) And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
The cross was an instrument of execution. To take up the cross means we are no longer living for ourselves.
Philippians 1:21 NKJV
(21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
THE STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM SURRENDER
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
(31) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
True strength is not self-assertion but dependence upon the Lord. When self is denied, divine strength is supplied to us.
THE BATTLE WITHIN
Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
(25) The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
He who fears man more than God falls into a snare and is destroyed. That is why we need to live from the position of the fear of the Lord and not have our lives and actions dictated by fear of man.
1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV
(31) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
This death must be understood, not in a spiritual sense of dying unto sin; but to the governing power of sin through the death of Christ to which we die daily.
Daily death prepares us as believers for ultimate faithfulness unto the Lord.
THE REWARD OF SURRENDER
Matthew 16:25 NKJV
(25) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Real discipleship implies real commitment – pledging our whole existence to his service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing eternal life. If we protect ourselves from the pain God calls us to suffer, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward, and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our life in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living.
Colossians 3:3 NKJV
(3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
What does it mean that a believer’s life is “hidden with Christ”? Hidden means “concealed and safe.” This is not only a future hope but an accomplished fact right now. Our service and conduct do not earn our salvation, but they are results of our salvation. Take heart that your salvation is sure, and live each day for Christ.
CONCLUSION
You must die to truly live. You must surrender to truly reign. You must decrease for Christ to increase.
John 3:30 NKJV
(30) He must increase, but I must decrease.
John’s willingness to decrease in importance shows unusual humility. Pastors and other Christian leaders can be tempted to focus more on the success of their ministries than on Christ. Beware of those who put more emphasis on their own achievements than on God’s Kingdom.
Remember that self-sacrifice and self-denial are not optional – they are central to true discipleship.
