Daily Denial

Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.“

When I read this verse recently, one little word stuck out to me—daily. 

If you’re new to denying yourself and taking up your cross, then know this: it’s a daily decision you will make for the rest of your life.

If you’ve been denying yourself and taking up your cross for a long time—but it seems to be more difficult lately—then remember this: it’s still a daily decision. 

And let’s be honest, some days denying ourselves is more challenging than others. Some days it seems almost easy to be all in, to forsake our flesh, and to do this thing well. Other days, there are so many desires and thoughts bombarding our hearts and minds that it truly does feel like we’re at war within ourselves.

But thank the Lord, He knows this. Jesus knows it’s a daily choice, and He’s always there to give us strength to walk it out. In fact, it’s only through Him that we can walk it out. 

Galatians 2:20, ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We die a little more to our flesh every single day that we choose faith, every single day that we choose Jesus, every single day that we choose to deny ourselves and take up our cross. 

Thank you, Lord, for the strength you give us to live the lives you call us to live. May our faith in you be so abundant that our flesh loses ground every single day we walk with you. Amen.