How do we know that self-denial is necessary for salvation?
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Self-denial is necessary for salvation as Jesus explicitly stated that one who does not deny themselves and take up their cross cannot be His disciple (Matthew 16:24).
Jesus emphasized in Matthew 16:24 that self-denial is a prerequisite for discipleship and, by extension, salvation. The act of taking up one's cross signifies a recognition of one's sinfulness and the necessity of depending solely on Christ for redemption. In the act of denying self, believers acknowledge their inability to save themselves and the need for Christ's atonement. This self-denial leads to true life, as Jesus proclaimed that those who lose their life for His sake will ultimately find it (Matthew 16:25). Thus, the call to deny oneself is not just a suggestion but a critical aspect of entering into a saving relationship with Christ.
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