“Self-denial leads to abundant life.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 12, 2024
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16
In his book, Authentic, Dr. Rob Reimer reminds us that God calls us to self-denial.
“Our self-life is our greatest impediment to our freedom. Ironically, here in the West, we often encourage self-fulfillment: do what you want, don’t let anyone tell you what to do or who you are, you are who you say you are, and you can do whatever you want to do.”
But the Lord calls us to self-denial.
Great news! Self-denial doesn’t mean we are being oppressed. Even though we are laying down our lives, surrender does not mean we are getting “less than.” It means we are trading serving ourselves for serving Jesus and that brings great joy.
When we die to ourselves, we are not left empty. Instead, we are filled with the life and power of Christ. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This beautiful exchange is at the heart of the Christian walk.
Self-denial takes gentle listening, a soft and flexible humility that stays sensitive to the Holy Spirit during each day. There are minute by minute movements in our hearts that are subtle nudges from the Holy Spirit that we must take time to hear if we truly want to live in freedom.
We need to practice inner awareness of where we need to surrender our lives to Jesus. When we do, we will experience the abundant, internal life that Jesus says we can experience in John 10:10. This freedom comes from laying down our lives.
Perhaps we have a conflict with a neighbor, and we have a poor attitude. We want to give him a “what for.” But instead, the Holy Spirit is calling us to be salt and light. You do and you experience the joy and partnering with Christ.
Maybe you want to accept a job offer. It looks right on paper: more money, more of what you love to do, and more free time. But you sense the Lord telling you no. Even if you are disappointed, you obey and you experience the satisfaction of knowing you did the right thing.
When you take time to listen to the Lord and you surrender to His leading, there is a peace that will settle into your soul because the best place to be is in the center of God’s will.
The Lord wants to give us peace like a river. But not surrendering and not giving into God will bring torment and quench the voice of the Holy Spirit. The surrendered believer lives with an open heart, ready to be molded and used by God for His glory. They are not driven by worldly standards of success but by a desire to glorify Jesus in all they do.
If we want to be truly free, we must not listen to the voices of the world that have crept even into the church, that tell us that God is only about making our own dreams come true, God only cares about promoting us – and making us successful. Instead, the first will be last and the last will be first. It doesn’t mean the Lord doesn’t want to bless you; it’s that His blessings don’t always look like ours.
Dying to ourselves is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Every day we have new opportunities to let go of our way and give God His way. As we yield to the Spirit, He shapes us to be more like Himself, and that leads to abundant life!
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that you have given me instructions on how to live. Minute by minute I am to walk with you and surrender to you. I love you and I want to make you happy. Help me listen to your voice today.
Application
Put this devotional into practice and obey Jesus.
Related Reading
John 15:13, Luke 9:24; John 10:11
Worship Resource
Josh Baldwin – Gateway Worship: Crowns Down
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