“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23
A poor widow came to church each Sunday with a small loaf of bread wrapped in cloth. She would place it in the hands of the deacon and whisper, “For someone who needs it more.” No one knew how little she had. Her pantry was nearly bare, yet she never missed a service, and never came empty-hearted. When asked why she gave so faithfully, she smiled and said, “It’s not sacrifice when I remember what He gave for me.”
Selfishness lies at the heart of sin. It was selfish ambition that led to Lucifer’s fall (Isaiah 14:12–14), and it is selfishness that continues to separate man from God. The scripture tells us, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Philippians 2:21). True repentance and reconciliation with God must begin with self-denial, for Christ said, “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:25.
Of ourselves, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but through Christ, we are strengthened to do all things (Philippians 4:13). The Christian life is not about grand gestures alone; it is in the daily walk of faith, where we are called to “love not in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” 1 John 3:18. We are to deny self not only in public ministry, but within the home, the church, and the marketplace—anywhere God places us. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” Luke 16:10.
Paul declared, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). This daily dying is the crucifixion of the flesh with its affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24), carried out in the small choices that align our lives with Christ. As we put others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3–4), we follow the example of our Saviour, who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” Matthew 20:28.
The Lord calls His people to be a blessing: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:16. We are stewards of all He has entrusted to us—our influence, resources, and time. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another” 1 Peter 4:10. In doing so, we experience the joy promised in Isaiah 58:10–11: “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry… the Lord shall guide thee continually… and thou shalt be like a watered garden.”
In heaven, there is no selfish ambition—only pure, holy love. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more… for the Lamb… shall feed them” Revelation 7:16–17. If we desire to be part of that kingdom, we must now be transformed by its principles: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2.
The greatest work any believer can do in this life is to glorify God by revealing the character of Christ: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” John 15:8.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk