24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

— Matthew 16:24-25

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.

— Galatians 2:20

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

— Philippians 1:21

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

–Philippians 3:8

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

— Revelation 2:10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

Reading the Bible, we can see the principle and reality of dying to self to live for God. Revelation especially vividly describes the fury that Satan and evil hurl at believers. Revelation’s apocalyptic images of fierce foes and martyred believers can make us draw back in fear. Though Satan is a defeated enemy, his relentless but futile desire to defeat God overflows into harsh persecution of God’s people. The Christian life promises immense blessings but also sacrifice, surrender, and even suffering.

People who surrender themselves and their life goals to Christ live out of step with this world. Jesus died so we can live a redeemed life and be with Him forever. Believers also die—to their own interests, priorities, and plans, surrendering what this world values to seek what Christ honors. A believer’s cross involves more than the normal challenges of life. Surrender to God brings daily opportunities to choose God’s will over our own. God’s pleasure matters more than our comfort. Any sacrifice or loss that obeying Christ requires is worth it.