In Lilias Trotter’s devotional classic, Parables of the Cross, she writes about spiritual lessons that believers can learn from flowers and plants. The most memorable example, at least for me, is the dandelion.
As she wrote, “[the dandelion] stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind that bloweth where it listeth may carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given.” The dandelion dies to itself, which enables the multiplication of its seeds.
Scripture has much to say about the principle of “dying to yourself.” Although the idea may seem strange to some people, giving up interests and desires to serve Jesus is a biblical teaching.
Believers are called to be cross-bearing disciples, individuals with new life, and disciple-makers. To do so, we must become like the dandelion or, to use Jesus’s example, the grain of wheat, which first dies before bringing new life.
Dying to Yourself to Follow Jesus
In the Bible, multiple verses refer to the need to die to oneself in order to follow Christ. The Lord told His disciples that all who wanted to follow Him would have to deny themselves and take up their cross (Matthew 16:24). Jesus is not talking about harming ourselves or engaging in an ascetic lifestyle.
Instead, He wants us to give up our natural sinful inclinations and even some desires and plans that might be good or permissible. Disciples are willing to die to anything in their life so that they can follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
Specifically, the mention of the cross in this verse makes us think of death and sacrifice since Jesus died on the cross to pay our sin debt in full. When we “take up our cross,” we choose to surrender our goals and designs to follow what Jesus says.
This is not a one-time occurrence since the taking up of the cross is something that believers are called to do each day (Luke 9:23). Daily life presents challenges to our Christian walk, which is when we need to deny ourselves and choose to obey the Lord.
Based on Jesus’ words about denying ourselves, we know that discipleship is not easy. Carrying our cross daily and choosing to die to our natural inclinations and desires will prove challenging.
However, the Lord will help us live for Him. In Christ, we receive new life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Timothy 1:14). Living as a disciple is not easy, but it is possible as the Lord empowers and guides us.
Dying to Yourself to Cast Away Sins
Dying to ourselves is also important in the Christian life because we can then turn away from sin. The Bible includes instructions to put our sins to death and to take off our old selves (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:5).
In Colossians, Paul discusses how recognizing that we have been crucified with Christ and that our life is in Him will help us put away sins (Colossians 3:3). He contrasts this truth with the Colossians’ false idea that legalistic rules and asceticism could restrain sin (Colossians 2:23).
We can cast away sins by remembering that our sinful nature has been crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20). Sin no longer holds us as slaves. Rather, in Jesus, we are free, and He gives us the power through the Holy Spirit to live as new creations (Galatians 5:1, 25).
Hence, the Apostle Paul specifically reminds the believers in Colossae that since they have been raised with Christ, “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Although the reality is that we are alive in Christ and dead to sin, we must continually remind ourselves of this truth and die to the flesh (Romans 6:11). The Lord does not promise us that we will never experience temptation.
Scripture tells us that there is a war inside each believer, where the Holy Spirit is fighting against the sinful nature (Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17).
Every day, we must decide to give up our natural tendencies and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, also known as walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13).
Remembering the truth that we are dead to sin because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can die to ourselves and live the new life that the Lord has planned for us.
Dying to Yourself to Multiply and Produce a Harvest
Dying to oneself leads to life. In John 12:24, Jesus gave the example of a kernel of wheat dying and producing many seeds. In context, Jesus’ words refer to His death. By willingly giving up His life, He was able to bring new life through His death and resurrection.
As Christ’s disciples, we are also called to give up our lives and follow the Lord (John 12:25-26). By doing so, we become like the seed that landed on good soil: we produce a harvest for the glory of our Savior (Matthew 13:23).
Disciples are meant to multiply and make other disciples. Before Jesus ascended, He told those who followed Him to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Christians are not born into the Kingdom of God through natural reproduction, but by being born again of the Spirit (John 3:3-8).
Although we are not the ones who save individuals, since that is the work of the Lord, we do take part in producing a harvest by evangelizing and discipling others.
Although the process of dying to ourselves is ongoing and may occur multiple times a day, the act of giving up our desires and plans is meant to lead to life — an abundant life in Jesus that impacts those around us.
As Lilias Trotter wrote in her book, “And we ourselves are ‘saved to save’ — we are made to give — to let everything go if only we may have more to give.” The multiplying life is the one we are called to as followers of Jesus.
How Can I Apply This to My Life?
Christians should want to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22). When applying the biblical concept of dying to ourselves, we need to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow the Bible.
What God calls an individual to give up may vary depending on the circumstance. Of course, the Lord wants us to put off our old selves and put on our new selves (Ephesians 4:22-24).
There could be some situations, though, in which Jesus calls us to give up other things that are not sinful, even good things, for His sake.
The following are a few questions we can ask ourselves to apply scriptural teaching about taking up our cross and following Jesus:
- Is there an area of my life that I am trying to keep separate from my faith in Christ? How can I surrender this area to Him?
- Are there specific sins that I need to put away, ask forgiveness for, and seek the Lord’s help in walking in the new life He has given me? (To start, see the list in Colossians 3:5-11).
- Do I know anyone that I can show Christ’s love to, even if it is difficult and costly to do so? (John 15:13).
- Is there something I can give up so that I can give (i.e., from my time, finances, or physical possessions) more freely to help those in need and promote disciple-making?
- Am I investing in my relationship with Jesus? Do I love Him more than anything else, and with my whole heart? (Matthew 10:37; Mark 12:30).
We will spend our entire life growing in our ability to obey the Lord. Sometimes we will fail, which is inevitable because of our sinful nature.
However, the important thing is to continually turn our focus to the cross where Jesus died to give us the gift of eternal life. Through His power and presence, we can walk in the new life He gave us.
Why Does This Matter?
Scripture includes multiple verses about “dying to yourself.” This concept is not about hurting ourselves or following an ascetic lifestyle. Instead, as disciples of Jesus, we are told to take up our cross and follow Him.
To die to ourselves involves giving up our desires and plans to obey Jesus, casting away sin and taking off our old selves, and multiplying by making disciples.
The more we seek to follow Christ, the more we will focus on our new life in Him, tell others about His grace, and give freely from ourselves to bless others.
For further reading:
How Do Christians Actually 'Die to Self'?
What Does ‘Die to Self Every Day’ Mean for Christians? Is it Biblical?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/juanestey
