Jesus Christ stated in Luke 9:23-24 (ESV), “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” These verses offer profound insight into what it truly means to follow Jesus and the radical commitment He calls for from His disciples.

When Jesus talks about denying ourselves, He means putting aside our own selfish desires and choosing to live in a way that honors God. Taking up our cross daily means being ready to face challenges and make sacrifices as we follow him.

Jesus showed us the ultimate example of this by giving his life on the cross as payment for our sins. His incredible act of love is what makes it possible for us to be forgiven and start a new life. Accepting Christ’s sacrifice is the best thing we can do for ourselves because it opens the door to eternal life and a fresh start.

In Galatians 2:20 (ESV), the Apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  As Paul explains, through faith, we have been spiritually crucified with Jesus. The old self and sinful nature have been replaced by a new identity where Christ lives within us. True Christian living involves allowing Christ’s presence and power to direct and transform our lives, where we move away from self-centeredness and embracing a new, Christ-centered existence.

By accepting Jesus, we’re saying yes to a life dedicated to serving God and putting His Kingdom first. This means making choices that reflect our commitment to Him, even if it involves giving up some of our own comforts and desires.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) provides a crucial directive for believers: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” This verse urges us to regularly evaluate our own spiritual state to ensure we are genuinely living out our faith. It’s a call to reflect on whether we’re truly committed to the level of self-denial and sacrifice that Jesus asks of us. For many, this can be tough because we might not have a clear idea of what that deep commitment looks like in our everyday lives. So, it’s important to honestly assess ourselves to make sure that our actions and attitudes genuinely show that Christ is at work in us and that we’re living up to His standards.

This is the true litmus test of whether we’re spiritually prepared to lay down our own desires in our marriages in a way that honors God and reflects Christ. Examining ourselves, as Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 13:5, helps us gauge if we’re genuinely committed to living out our faith in practical, everyday ways. In marriage, this self-examination involves assessing whether we’re truly setting aside our personal wants and preferences for the sake of our spouse and the relationship. It’s about embodying a selfless love, similar to how Christ set aside His own interests for humanity.

As women, we often grow up with the dream of finding a wonderful partner who will sweep us off our feet. While being someone’s wife is indeed a blessing and a treasure, it’s crucial to recognize from the start that marriage is not just about personal fulfillment. Instead, it’s about embracing the responsibility of caring for another person’s heart and viewing this as an important ministry that God has placed in your hands.

We must remember that Jesus Christ has called us to self-denial for the benefit of others. This is particularly significant in marriage, where the focus shifts from seeking personal satisfaction to prioritizing your partner’s needs, emotions, and well-being. Marriage is a ministry, and it becomes a journey of mutual support and selflessness, moving beyond individual happiness to nurture a loving and supportive relationship. Embracing this shift in perspective helps us to set realistic expectations, and it builds a deeper, more meaningful marriage that is grounded in the love and example of Jesus Christ. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Deny Yourself” , written by Kim Times, edited by Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024.  All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.