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From the beginning, God used death in order to produce life. After Adam and Eve sinned, God killed animals in order to provide clothing for their nakedness. When the Israelites were in Egyptian captivity, the blood of lambs was used so that their lives would be spared as the Lord slew the firstborn of the Egyptians.

After the inauguration of the Law, animals were slain and their blood used, not only for consecration, but also for the preservation of the lives of those who needed atonement for sin. When the Law failed, God sent Jesus into the world.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3)

However, He was not sent to live, but to deny Himself and give His life for many. The Jews rejected Him and did not know Him, even though Caiaphas (the High Priest during the days of Christ) prophesied that a man (Jesus) should die for the nation. Paul said that in Adam, many were made sinners, but through Christ (and His death) many were made righteous.

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)

His self-denial and death gave us the opportunity to live again, as children of God. It took Christ’s death on the cross for us to be made alive again under the New Covenant. His death and self-denial gave us access to the Kingdom of God. If we are to, presently, live and walk properly in the Kingdom of God, we must meet the demand of the kingdom.

The demand of the kingdom is self-denial. Self-denial was required to make us partakers of the kingdom, and death is required for us to maintain our place in the kingdom.

It is hard for us to deny ourselves for many reasons. The first reason is that we are born with inherent self-preservation instincts. Our natural bodies go through changes daily, so that it can live. When the body needs nutrients, it experiences hunger. When the body needs water, it experiences thirst.

Other natural defenses are also in the body. When the body is sick, symptoms are experienced. This is the body’s way of notifying you of where the problem is. When there is a cut or scratch, the body automatically mends it. When there is an infection, the body becomes feverish in an attempt to destroy the problem. All of these things occur for the sake of self-preservation.

In addition to the body’s natural drive for self-preservation, cultural influences teach us to fight for a place in society, to make a name for ourselves, and lay hold of your own identity. With all of these influences in our lives, God’s call for self-denial then becomes a call to change our approach to life. However, as partakers of salvation, it is not only our responsibility, but it is also the command of God. It is a prerequisite for living in victory in the Kingdom of God, both now and forever.

We can learn to deny ourselves and fulfill the will of God and respond to the demand of the kingdom by:

1) Surrendering to the will of God. (Romans 8:29)

2) Submitting to the authority of the word of God. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

3) Selling out completely to Him. (I John 2:15)

All of these things are not always easy, but through the power of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, they can become a reality in the Christian life and experience.