Chapter 7: Containing a Suasive to Self-Denial

Chapter 7. Containing a persuasive to Self-denial.

My next work is to persuade Christians to the Practice of this momentous duty of Self-denial. Man lost himself at first by self-exaltation, and he must recover himself by self-denial.

1. Self-denial is just and equal. How much has Christ denied himself for us? He eclipsed his Glory; Philippians 2:7. He emptied himself. What wonderful self-denial was it, for Christ to leave his Father's bosom and be incarnate? For Christ to be made flesh, was more than for all the Angels to be made worms. Christ denied his name and reputation; Hebrews 12:2, He endured the shame. He denied worldly grandeur and riches; 1 Corinthians 8:9. For our sakes he became poor. The manger was his cradle, the cobwebs his curtains. He denied his Life, Philippians 2:8, He became obedient to death. It is but equity we should deny ourselves for Christ.

2. Self-denial is the sign of a sincere Christian. Hypocrites may have great knowledge, and make fair pretenses, but it is only the sincere Saint can deny himself, and lay his life at Christ's feet. This was a touchstone of Moses' sincerity, he denied the pleasures of the Court, and chose affliction rather than iniquity, Hebrews 11:25. I have read of a holy Man who was once tempted by Satan, to whom Satan said, why do you take all these pains, what do you do more than I? Are you no Drunkard, no Adulterer? No more am I. Do you watch? I never sleep. Do you fast? I never eat. What do you do more than I? Why, said the good Man, I tell you Satan, I give myself to Prayer; nay more, I deny myself. Nay, then says the Devil, you go beyond me, for I exalt myself; and so vanished.

3. Self-denial is a rational thing. For, if self is an enemy, then it is wisdom to discard it. There is a rationality in all God's commands. Why would he have us deny fleshly lusts, but because They war against our souls? 1 Peter 2:11. Why would he have us deny Pride, but because of its noxious quality? Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction. Where Pride leads the van, Destruction brings up the rear. God would have us deny nothing for him, but that which will damn us if we keep.

4. There is nothing lost by self-denial. We shall be abundantly compensated. Matthew 19:29, Every one that has forsaken houses, and lands for my sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit life everlasting. If we deny our name and reputation for Christ, God will give us inward peace, there is a hundredfold in this life; and will honor us before the Angels; how many hundredfolds that amounts to, I am not able to tell. If we deny our estate, to keep our conscience, God will give us a Kingdom. Luke 12:32. What does he lose, who parts with a flower, and gets a jewel? We may lose all we have for Christ, yet lose nothing by him.

Chapter 7. An Encouragement to Practice Self-Denial.

My next task is to urge Christians to practice this crucial duty of self-denial. Humanity was first lost through self-exaltation, and we must be recovered through self-denial.

1. Self-denial is just and fair. How much has Christ denied Himself for us? He hid His glory. Philippians 2:7. He emptied Himself. What amazing self-denial it was for Christ to leave His Father's embrace and take on human flesh! For Christ to become flesh was a greater descent than if all the angels had been turned into worms. Christ denied His name and reputation. Hebrews 12:2, He endured the shame. He denied worldly greatness and riches. 1 Corinthians 8:9. For our sakes He became poor. The manger was His cradle and the cobwebs His curtains. He denied His life. Philippians 2:8, He became obedient to death. It is only fair that we deny ourselves for Christ.

2. Self-denial is the mark of a genuine Christian. Hypocrites may have great knowledge and put on a fine show, but only the genuine saint can deny himself and lay his life at Christ's feet. This was the proof of Moses' sincerity: he denied the pleasures of the royal court and chose suffering over sin, Hebrews 11:25. I have read about a godly man who was once tempted by Satan. Satan said to him: Why do you go through all this trouble? What do you do that is more than what I do? Are you no drunkard, no adulterer? Neither am I. Do you stay awake and keep watch? I never sleep. Do you fast? I never eat. What do you do that is more than I do? The godly man replied: I will tell you, Satan. I give myself to prayer. And more than that -- I deny myself. At that, the Devil said: Now you have gone beyond me, for I exalt myself. And he vanished.

3. Self-denial is a reasonable thing. If self is an enemy, then it is wise to get rid of it. There is a logic behind all God's commands. Why does He want us to deny sinful desires? Because They war against our souls, 1 Peter 2:11. Why does He want us to deny pride? Because of its destructive nature. Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction. Where pride leads the way, destruction follows close behind. God asks us to deny nothing for Him except what will destroy us if we keep it.

4. Nothing is lost by self-denial. We will be richly rewarded. Matthew 19:29, Everyone that has forsaken houses, and lands for My sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit life everlasting. If we deny our name and reputation for Christ, God will give us inward peace -- there is a hundredfold in this life -- and will honor us before the angels. How many hundredfold that amounts to, I cannot calculate. If we deny our possessions to keep our conscience clear, God will give us a Kingdom. Luke 12:32. What does a person lose who gives up a flower and gains a jewel? We may lose everything we have for Christ, yet lose nothing by Him.