It’s Not About You!

Week 43, Wednesday

Marilyn Kirkpatrick

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (nasb)

In the world we live in, we are told that it is “all about you”! From billboards, magazines, TV, and other media, the message over and over is to love yourself, pamper yourself, look out for yourself, forgive yourself, be good to yourself, and so on. The world’s view is totally contrary to what God tells us.

When following Christ, we are to follow His example of dying to self and living for the glory of the Father only. It is not about you! Jesus’ example of self-denial was demonstrated throughout His entire earthly life.

He never sought His own glory (see John 8:50,54).

He did only what the Father commanded (see John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38).

His teaching was not His own (see John 7:16).

His very life was laid down as a servant of all and He gave no regard to Himself or to who He was (see Philippians 2:5-8).

This is the example of a true disciple—to live constantly denying yourself. That means we are not to be concerned about self-worth, because God makes us worthy. Self-assurance must be set aside and one must become totally dependent upon God. Self-love is not validated in Scripture; rather we are called to love only God and others, not ourselves.

Self-centeredness is to be replaced with serving and esteeming others greater than oneself (see Philippians 2:3-4). Self-confidence is to be replaced with trust in God alone (see Proverbs 3:5-7). Self-esteem is to be abandoned and one needs only to find one’s value in Christ (see Ephesians 2:4-7). Self-righteousness is of no value. True righteousness is based solely in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Titus 3:5). Commending self has no value, and exalting self is characteristic of a person who is rebellious (see Psalm 66:7) and doesn’t truly know the Lord (see Psalm 10:4). Self-exaltation is descriptive of a self-centered person who is rejected in regard to faith in the difficult times of the last days (see 2 Timothy 3:1-9). ***AUTHOR: WHAT DOES THIS SENTENCE MEAN? CONSIDER CLARIFYING.***

So as disciples of Christ, how do we deny ourselves? Paul tells us clearly in Colossians 3:9-10 that we are to lay aside the old self with its evil practices and put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

Father, help me to deny myself and find my worth only in You. Amen.