The concept of dying to self is found throughout the New Testament, however, that exact phrase is not. The phrase “dying to self” is reflected within the phrases “deny self,” and “crucify the flesh.” Those concepts really express the essence of Christian discipleship.

Jesus told His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” [Matthew 16:24]

He also told them that “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”  [Luke 14:27]

There are two serious words in those commands, “MUST” and “CANNOT.” We “MUST” deny self and carry our cross and if we don’t, we “CANNOT” be Jesus’ disciples.

But what exactly does that mean? And how does it express itself in our lives?  I think we have become way too focused on the negative aspects rather than the positive ones.

Jesus set us free. He set us free so that we might be free and so that we might freely serve Him. Freedom is always a positive expression. When we die to self through the crucifixion of the flesh it isn’t about what we can no longer do, it’s about what we can now do that we are free.

We have been set free to express the love of God through our lives so that the world might see Christ in us. We have been set free to lead a productive life that brings eternal rewards. We have been set free so that we might not just pray “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,” but also that we might be a part of making known God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  Wow!