The Word is clear and concise that believers are to be crucified with Christ so as to be made alive in Him (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:17-21; Gal. 5:24). Although this is hard to understand, applying this somewhat abstract and esoteric concept in practical, personal ways is what matters. Intellectual and emotional ascent to this challenging theological concept is not enough. Practical application is what the crucifixion of self is all about.
Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34-35)." Jesus is indicating that self-denial explained in terms of crucifixion is what obedience to the Lord is all about. For Christ, self-crucifixion is a requisite for faithfulness and belief.
When in deference to the Lord, we aquiesce to an attitude of self-denial and align ourselves to Christ's crucifixion, we put our sin nature to death. As we put our life to death, God is sure to raise a new life in His Son, and we are able to live firmly grounded in Him. This means that we will no longer live in bondage to sin.
Paul confirms that we are to put our old self to death (Col. 3). The point is that we are to die to self in order to be made alive in Christ. When we lay our sin life to rest, we are able to truly rise with Christ in His resurrection. This is the radical nature of belief in Christ: we are new people, are old self is put to death and the new self in Christ takes over.
However difficult this may be to understand, it is incredibly practical. Dying to self means prayer so that our sin nature may be cast aside so as to allow us to live wholly in the Lord and His provision. The purpose of self-denial is so that we are not hindered from serving His will to the fullest extent that we are able. Let us look to Hebrews 12:1-2, to cast aside every weight which may cause us to stumble and prevent us from pursuing Him with fervor.
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