Dying to Self
By Jen Wollner
“…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
In the movie Valkyrie, Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a German Army officer during World War II. Col. Stauffenberg was born into an aristocratic family and taught from an early age the importance of serving his country. He was a loyal soldier and quickly rose through the Army’s ranks. But, as the war progressed, he became increasingly convicted about the immoral brutality of Adolf Hitler’s regime. Even though his life and the life of his family would be in danger, he eventually joined the German Resistance Movement and its attempts to assassinate Hitler. On July 20, 1944, Col. Stauffenberg’s efforts to kill Hitler and end World War II failed. He and thousands of others involved in the plot were quickly arrested for treason and executed. They made the conscious decision to do what they believed was right and it cost them their reputations and lives.By Jen Wollner
“…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
Throughout the history of Christianity there have been numerous accounts of martyrdom. Many individuals, even in recent days, have died because of their faith in Jesus. While we probably won’t be called to give up our physical lives for our beliefs, we are commanded by Christ Himself to die to our selves and take up our cross daily and follow Him.
So, what does this look like for a believer living in the United States in 2009? I believe it means the same thing it’s always meant, regardless of place and time. It means loving God with all we are and have. It means loving others and considering them more important than ourselves. It means giving up our own comfort, pride, insecurities and personal rights to do what will best serve the Lord and His purposes. It means embracing suffering as a normal part of the Christ follower’s life. And, it means leaving selfishness and fear behind and proclaiming the Truth unashamedly.
Like Col. Stauffenberg’s decision to turn away from that which he had previously been wholeheartedly committed to—serving Hitler—when we accept Christ as our Savior, we, too, are called to cut ties with former loyalties—activities, material possessions and even people. It’s not an easy process, though. We will oftentimes fail to live out this command, choosing our own way instead of His. And, when we do boldly live out our convictions, we will sometimes suffer rejection or be ostracized because of our choices.
The calling of Christ to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him is a difficult task, but the eternal rewards of a life lived unashamed of Him are priceless.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What have you had to sacrifice in your life to follow Christ?
2. What does “deny yourself and take up His cross” mean for you personally today?
FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:27; Philippians 2:3-4
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.
