Self-Denial

During Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until Resurrection Sunday, we traditionally engage reflect and meditate as we perennially contemplate God’s inimitable gift of love in Christ.  Once again, the brutal necessity of the cross in order to gain salvation and resurrection for humankind shocks us.  As we rejoice over the reconciliation between Almighty God and humankind (2 Corinthians 5:10 to 6:2), we practice self-denial as an act of gratitude.  Through the practice of “giving something up” and denying personal pleasure, we re-enact Christ’s sacrificial journey to the cross.  Lent is an annual period of self-denial and contemplation of God’s greatest gift.

Conceivably, disciples observe self-denial daily rather than perennially.  In the ninth chapter of the gospel of Luke, the Lord discourses upon the cost of discipleship.  He says in Luke 9:23, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily and follow me.”  The Lord offers a tri-fold formula for daily discipleship development.  First, we relinquish self-centered fears.  Second, we willingly bear our crosses each day.  A hymn writer asks, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?”  The refrain responds, “No, there is a cross for everyone.  There is a cross for you and there is a cross for me.”  One day at a time, we crucify ourselves so we may live in honor and glory of Almighty God and service to humankind.  Assuredly, resurrection follows every daily crucifixion just as Easter follows Good Friday.  Third, the Lord says straightforwardly, “Follow me.”  Practically, it means walking in His footsteps; spiritually it means living in accordance with His teachings and example.

I recall denigrating the practice of self-denial during Lent.  I thought it superstitious and unnecessary.  I did not understand why someone would do this for forty days and ignore this practice during rest of the year.  Needless to state, those excuses cloaked my lack of will and ability to practice self-denial.  Now, I have tremendous personal joy and spiritual development as I practice self-denial during Lent.  I know the absolute joy of fitting into clothes that had become tight after denying the pleasure of snacks and desserts during recent Lenten seasons.  As a pancakes addict, I experienced spiritual progress in healthy eating during a Lenten season in which I fasted for twelve hours a day.   I cite those examples to demonstrate spiritual growth and personal development God offers to anyone who willingly denies himself or herself to serve Him.

In the next verse, Luke 9:24, the Lord articulates the paradox of losing one’s life in order to gain it.  He says, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”  If we willingly surrender satisfaction of physical instincts and emotional pleasures, we receive the grace of abundant life.  In crucifying our selfish desires, God resurrects us to a new and eternal life.  This abundant life annihilates self-centered fears and self-aggrandizement.  It removes impediments to living to the honor and glory of Christ and in service to humankind.  This new life actualizes our God given talents and abilities.  In order to apprehend this abundant and eternal life, we practice self-denial and self-crucifixion. 

In Luke 9:25, the Lord asks, “How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?”  We know people whose lives are full as it relates to worldly possessions and achievements.  However, these persons are spiritually empty.  Although they have many material possessions, they constantly fear they may lose it.  When asked, “What have you contributed to the lives of others,” they hesitate to answer because they realize they have not heretofore concerned themselves with the needs of others.  Often, such persons are not happy; they cannot define peace.  They long to know joy and freedom.  Whereas they are physically alive, they are spiritually dead.  What is the worth of their earthly wealth in eternal terms? 

Let’s more fully consider this ancient and enduring spiritual practice of self-denial.  Sacrifice and loss are foundational to Christian discipleship.  Surrendering our wills to Almighty God is essential to discovering liberty from fear and death.