Eleven Days before Christmas!

As we have already seen in our study of the Book of Luke, in order for Christ to be truly Lord of our lives He needs to transcend all earthly relationships. While in the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees, Jesus not only rebukes social pride but addresses the need for us to build character. As we continue our countdown to Christmas, I thought that it would be appropriate if we could talk about one of the hallmarks of Jesus’ teaching on discipleship, namely self-denial.

I Must Die to Self

“ 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

The Bible describes the act of dying to self as an act of self-denial which runs completely counter to what the world teaches and this can at times bring us into conflict with those in power. Let us reflect on what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a total renunciation of all self-interest for the sake of Christ. (Luke 14:33). We are told in Ephesians 5:15 to see that we “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Self-denial and submission are important spiritual disciplines as they bring much freedom to those who practice them. We as Christians could potentially benefit from the practice of self-denial as we discover the joy of laying down the terrible burden of always having to get our own way. Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline makes this point clear when he penned that “Many divisions in the church arise because people don’t have the freedom to give in to each other.” (p. 111).

It is my conviction that a true disciple of Christ will be tested in the area of self-denial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the Savior, Christ our Lord (Luke 14:34). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to those who believe in the resurrected Christ.