Self-Denial

The secret of the Christian life isn't an actual secret. Christian living is found in ... you know ... following Christ. But that always seems a bit vague. So, how about an absolutely clear statement from Scripture?

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php 2:5-8)

There, see? Not vague at all. Not acceptable, of course, to most people, including Christians, but certainly not vague. Here we read that we are suppposed to mimic Christ by having the same attitude as Christ. What attitude? "Emptied Himself." The earlier verses make this abundantly clear. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Php 2:3-4). That's the idea. Regard others as more important than you are. And, again, not vague at all. Jesus took that to an extreme. He refused to grasp the glory He shared with His Father and became a bond-servant. All the way to death ... on a cross. Have that attitude. "There, fellow Christians," the text is saying, "be like that."

It looks like the Christian life, then, is one of self-denial. "Nothing about me; all about you." And you might be forgiven for thinking such. Many avid followers have. But that would be a mistake. Notice, in that last text, it says, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests." Now, that "merely" isn't in the original, but the reason they put it there is because of the "also" in the next phrase, which is in the original. That's a hint. We don't completely deny our personal interests. But maybe Jesus said it more plainly. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt 16:24-25). Do you see it there? Yes, there is this whole "take his cross" business and "deny himself," but look at the outcome. If we do that -- deny self and take up the cross -- we will find our lives. Now, hang on a second. Isn't that a win? Isn't that a good thing? Isn't that in my best interest? Yes! Yes, it is.

Genuine followers of Christ are required precisely to deny themselves. It is fundamental to Christian living. But, that's not the end of the story. That's not the final outcome. First, "deny self" is simply a launching point in which believers shoot off in another direction. From there, we are empowered by God (Php 2:13) to participate in the work of Christ (Php 2:30). We love God and we love others. We concern ourselves with the interests of Christ (Php 2:21). It is a far better thing. And, in the end, we receive the prize. We obtain the blessing. If we pursued our own plans and desires, we would lose our lives, but if we surrender them, we win! So, as it turns out, this "self-denial" is actually in our own best interest, a better way to live. Of course, that all depends on how much you'll trust Christ, doesn't it?