Dying to Self and Living for Christ

Today, we’re diving into a topic central to the Christian journey: dying to self. This concept is at the heart of discipleship and echoes the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” But what does it mean to die to self, and how can we, as followers of Christ, overcome selfishness to live in the fullness of His love and purpose?

Let us explore this together under three main points: understanding the call, practicing self-denial, and depending on God’s grace.

Understanding the Call to Die to Self

The Bible is rich with teachings about surrendering our own desires to align with God’s will. Galatians 2:20 declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

This isn’t just a poetic statement; it’s a call to action. To die to self means to let go of our selfish ambitions, pride, and sinful desires. It’s about surrendering control and allowing Christ to take His rightful place as Lord of our lives.

Jesus Himself is the ultimate example. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us that Jesus humbled Himself, taking the nature of a servant and becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. If our Savior could lay down His divine privileges for our sake, how much more should we strive to follow in His footsteps?

Practicing Self-Denial

Dying to self is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily. What does that look like in our everyday lives?

Resist Sinful Desires: Colossians 3:5 tells us to “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” This means recognizing the habits, thoughts, and attitudes that prioritize self over God and others. It might be pride, greed, or anger. Whatever it is, we must turn away from it and turn toward Christ.

Serve Others: Jesus summarized the greatest commandments as loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37-39). One of the most practical ways to die to self is by putting others’ needs before our own. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, giving generously, or offering our time and resources, selflessness is love in action.

Sacrifice Comfort: Sometimes, God calls us to step out of our comfort zones. It might be sharing the Gospel, forgiving someone who hurt us, or persevering through trials with faith. Each act of obedience draws us closer to God and away from self-centeredness.

Depending on God’s Grace

Let’s be honest: dying to self is hard. Our sinful nature pulls us toward selfishness, but we are not called to do this alone. God provides the strength we need through His Spirit.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits counteract selfishness and help us live in alignment with God’s will. Pray daily for the Spirit to guide and transform you.

Renewing Our Minds: Romans 12:2 urges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Spend time in God’s Word, allowing His truth to shape your thoughts and actions. Meditate on Scripture that speaks to areas where you struggle with selfishness.

Grace for the Journey: Remember, this is a lifelong process. You will stumble, but God’s grace is sufficient. Philippians 1:6 reassures us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Trust in His faithfulness.

As we reflect on dying to self, let’s remember that this is not about losing ourselves but about finding true life in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

Let us commit today to:

Surrender our will to God daily.

Serve others with humility and love.

Depend on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.

As we take these steps, we’ll not only grow in selflessness but also experience the abundant life Christ promises. 

More on: Lesson 4: God is Passionate and Compassionate.

Sabbath School Lesson 5: The Wrath of Divine Love

God's Love and Justice

Sabbath School Lesson 5

The Wrath of Divine Love

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 5 video here.

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> Download 1st Quarter 2025 Lessons: God's Love and Justice

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How can we learn to reflect that same kind of good “jealousy” toward others that God displays toward us?

 Learning to reflect the good kind of "jealousy" that God displays involves understanding its nature and purpose. In the Bible, God’s jealousy is rooted in His love, righteousness, and desire for the best for His people. It’s not selfcentered or destructive but protective, caring, and devoted. Here's how we can emulate this kind of jealousy toward others.

Cultivate Pure Motives  

    God’s jealousy is rooted in love. Similarly, our concern for others should stem from genuine care for their wellbeing rather than selfish desires or envy.  

    Ask yourself: Is my jealousy about wanting the best for this person, or is it about me?

Protect Relationships Out of Love  

    God’s jealousy reflects His commitment to His covenant relationship. In the same way, show dedication to the people you care about by prioritizing their growth, happiness, and faithfulness to what is good.  

    Be willing to have honest conversations if you notice harmful influences or behaviors in their lives.  

Encourage Devotion to What is Good  

    God’s jealousy desires His people to remain faithful to Him because it leads to their flourishing. Encourage others to stay devoted to their faith, values, or personal goals without coercion or control.  

    Help guide others toward what is right, being mindful to act as a supporter, not a rival.  

Avoid Envy or Possessiveness  

    Good jealousy seeks the good of the other person, not control over them. Ensure your actions aren’t driven by insecurity or fear of losing them.  

    Be willing to celebrate their achievements and joy, even if it doesn't directly involve you.  

Model Selflessness and Grace  

    God’s jealousy is patient and gracious, giving His people opportunities to return to Him. Reflect this by being patient, forgiving, and understanding in your relationships.  

    Don’t hold grudges or act out of bitterness; instead, focus on reconciliation and unity.  

Pray for Guidance and Love  

    Ask God to shape your heart so that your "jealousy" aligns with His character.  

    Pray for wisdom to know when and how to act out of love and concern for others.  

By focusing on love, selflessness, and devotion to the wellbeing of others, we can reflect the protective and righteous jealousy of God in our relationships.

More on: Lesson 4: God is Passionate and Compassionate.

How can We Model Our Lives After Christ?

 Modeling our lives after Christ, particularly by focusing on the felt needs of others, involves embodying His love through actions and attitudes that reflect His character. Here’s how this can be approached practically and spiritually.

Cultivate Christlike Humility

   - Jesus exemplified humility by serving others, even washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15). Modeling this humility means being willing to serve without seeking recognition.

   - Reflect on ways to prioritize others’ needs over your own desires, valuing them as Christ does (Philippians 2:3-5).

Practice Compassionate Service

   - Jesus responded to the immediate, tangible needs of those He encountered—feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and comforting the grieving.

   - Identify ways to meet people’s practical needs in your community, such as volunteering at shelters, providing meals, or helping with housing or employment support.

Be Intentional in Relationships

   - Jesus often spent time with marginalized individuals, showing them respect, kindness, and dignity (Luke 19:1-10, John 4:7-26).

   - Seek out and engage with people who might feel overlooked or excluded. Build genuine relationships, listen to their stories, and provide support.

Love Through Action

   - The Apostle John wrote, "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

   - Demonstrate God’s love by being a consistent presence in others’ lives—show up when it matters, follow through on commitments, and provide encouragement.

Share Hope in God’s Timing

   - While Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, He often addressed physical needs first, creating a bridge to deeper spiritual truths.

   - As you serve, remain sensitive to opportunities to share the hope of Christ naturally and authentically, without coercion.

Live a Life of Sacrifice

   - Jesus gave of Himself fully for the sake of others, even to the point of death (Mark 10:45). While this doesn’t mean extreme sacrifice for all, it encourages living with an attitude of generosity.

   - Consider what resources—time, money, skills—you can sacrifice to bless others and reflect Christ’s selflessness.

Depend on God for Guidance

   - Jesus frequently sought solitude to pray and align His will with the Father’s (Luke 5:16). Following His example means seeking God’s guidance daily.

   - Pray for discernment in recognizing others' felt needs and for strength to meet them with the right heart.

Work for Justice and Peace

   - Jesus challenged systems of oppression and advocated for justice, especially for the vulnerable and downtrodden.

   - Be an advocate for fairness, speak out against injustice, and work toward creating environments where others can flourish.

By focusing on these Christlike attributes and actions, we can move beyond simply preaching about God’s love to embodying it in ways that transform lives, including our own. Tangible expressions of love rooted in faith become a living testimony to the transformative power of Christ.

More on: Lesson 4: God is Passionate and Compassionate.