Self-denial is a virtue that people through the ages have found hard, if not impossible, to do. After all, everyone wants to be in the top spot, ahead of the pack. While we might think of self-denial as a painful habit that denies us of our pleasures, the truth is that it gives us more than we could actually wish for.

Self-denial opens doors

The Lord Jesus said that in order for us to follow Him, we need to deny ourselves. Some interpret this as masochistic thinking, consciously choosing pain over pleasure or enjoyment. I beg to disagree, because following Christ gives us so much joy that lasts for all eternity.

Let's look at what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-27.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.'"

Here are some takeaways we can get from what He said.

1. When we deny ourselves, it should be so that we could follow Christ

Self-denial for any reason other than obeying and loving Christ will never give us the joy that only Christ can give.

2. Self-denial goes hand-in-hand with taking up our crosses

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, "I die daily." Taking up our crosses to follow Christ will never happen without us denying ourselves of any fleshly pleasure.

3. Self-denial allows us to find real life

Contrary to how people think, denying ourselves so that we could pursue a life in Christ actually helps us live the right kind of life – the life that God had intended for us to live. Jesus said unless we lose our lives for His sake, we won't have life. It doesn't mean killing yourself or enslaving yourself to some ministry. Rather, we will choose to pursue God's commands, which give life (see Ezekiel 33:15).

4. Self-denial helps protect our soul

Chasing after gains in this world will make us lose our soul. Chasing after God, however, preserves us, protects us, keeps us in the right mind, and gives us the right perspective and attitude all the time.

5. Self-denial enables us to receive rewards from God

We all will receive what is due to us when Christ returns. Denying ourselves of any selfish desire and pursuing godliness with good works will enable us to receive more than what we could ever imagine (see 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:20-26). Choose to receive your reward from God, and not from men (read Matthew 6).