deny
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Luke 9:23-25 ESV
To deny ourselves is to walk in boldness and authority knowing the living God dwells within you.
The world will make us feel that our value and our identity are rooted in this world. It will tell us our jobs, the college we went to, how much money we make, what kind of car we drive, who we’re dating, where we live, how we dress, and how many instagram followers we have is somehow a representation of who we are and how much value we hold.
Many things try to claim our identity, but Jesus was very clear— Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
We must deny ourselves daily. We must carry our cross daily. To deny ourselves means to deny what the world tells us equivocates our value. To deny ourselves is to step into our truest identity. It means to believe what God has said about you, because who God says you are, and what Jesus did for you on the cross, speaks a better word over who you are and what your life will be.
God says , in Him we are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). Therefore, this world cannot define you or your value. Nothing from your past, present or future can change your identity in Christ. We are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ep 2:6). He has called each and every one of us by name and we are His (Is 43:1). We are His sons and daughters with whom He is well pleased (Mt 3:17).
These are the identities that give us the freedom, boldness and trust to continue running this race.
in joy, peace & love,
Riley Rae Baker
additional reading:
Old Testament: Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5
New Testament: 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 3:1-2
reflect:
What labels have formed your identity and how are they keeping you from true freedom? What does it mean to you to deny yourself daily? What does God say your identity is?
centering prayer:
LORD, I pray that I would have the eyes to see myself in my truest identity, a daughter of the most high King. May all other lies, labels and identities that have not served what You say about me fall to the feet of the cross and may I continue to walk in the fullness, authority and inheritance of what it means to be seated with You. amen.
