Chapter 8: Containing Helps to Self-Denial

Chapter 8. Containing helps to Self-denial.

For the attaining of Self-denial, let these Rules be observed.

1. Be convinced of the Incomparable excellency of Christ. He has an equality and consubstantiality with God the Father, Colossians 2:9. He is the quintessence of Goodness. He is compared to an Head of gold, for riches, Canticles 5:10. To the Rose of Sharon for perfume, Canticles 2:1. To a bright morning-star for beauty, Revelation 22:16. Jesus Christ is all that God can require for satisfaction, or we can desire for Salvation. He is fully commensurate to our wants. He has eye-salve to anoint us, White raiment to cover us, the balm of his Blood to heal us.

We shall never deny ourselves for Christ, till we see a glory and a beauty in him. Christ is all marrow and sweetness, he is better than life, estate, Heaven.

2. Endeavor after a Vital principle of Grace. Grace will do that which flesh and blood cannot. A Man may do that by art, which he cannot do by strength. A burden of great weight, may be lifted up by screws and pulleys, which cannot be lifted up by strength of arm. Grace will teach one the art of Self-denial, which cannot be done by strength of Nature. In particular, labor for three Graces:

1. Humility. A proud Man admires himself, therefore cannot deny himself. An humble Man lays his mouth in the dust, he has lower thoughts of himself than others can have of him, he goes out of himself, he renounces himself, he opens to God, as the Flower to the Sun. He will do what God will have him do, he will be what God will have him be, he is like melting Wax, God may set what stamp and impression he will upon him. The humble Man is the self-denier.

2. Love. Who will not deny himself for a Friend whom he loves? He will part with anything he has, he will gratify him he loves, though it be to his own loss. He whose heart is fired with love to Christ, will stick at nothing for his sake. Gregory Nazianzen said of his Athenian Learning, he was glad he had anything of worth, to esteem as nothing for Christ. Love to God would devour self-love.

3. Faith. Abraham was a great Self-denier, he left his Kindred, and Country, and would travel into any place where God would have him. Whence was this? It was from his Faith. Hebrews 11:8, By faith Abraham obeyed, and went out, not knowing whither he went. He who believes Christ is his, and Heaven is his, what will not he relinquish for Christ's sake? The stronger a Christian's faith is, the more eminent will his self-denial be.

3. Pray much for self-denial. Prayer sets God to work, Psalm 10:17. Some pray for assurance, but want self-denial, as if God would set Seal to a Blank. Let this be your grand request, a self-denying frame of heart. Self-denial does not grow in nature, it is a fruit of the Spirit. Beg of God that he will plant this heavenly flower in your Soul. Say, Lord, whatever thou deniest me, deny me not self-denial. Let me rather want great parts, nay, let me rather want the comforts of the Spirit, than want self-denial. There may be going to Heaven without comfort, but there is no going there without self-denial.

Chapter 8. Practical Helps for Self-Denial.

To develop self-denial, follow these guidelines.

1. Become convinced of the incomparable excellence of Christ. He has equality and shared nature with God the Father, Colossians 2:9. He is the purest expression of goodness. He is compared to a Head of gold for His riches, Song of Solomon 5:10. He is compared to the Rose of Sharon for His fragrance, Song of Solomon 2:1. He is compared to a bright morning star for His beauty, Revelation 22:16. Jesus Christ is everything God can require for satisfaction and everything we can desire for salvation. He is perfectly matched to our needs. He has eye-salve to heal our vision, White robes to cover us, and the balm of His Blood to heal us.

We will never deny ourselves for Christ until we see His glory and beauty. Christ is all richness and sweetness. He is better than life, better than wealth, better than Heaven itself.

2. Pursue a living principle of Grace. Grace will do what human effort cannot. A person may accomplish by skill what he cannot accomplish by brute strength. A heavy load that cannot be lifted by arm strength can be lifted with screws and pulleys. Grace will teach the skill of self-denial, which raw human nature cannot achieve. In particular, work to develop three graces:

1. Humility. A proud person admires himself and therefore cannot deny himself. A humble person lays his face in the dust. He thinks less of himself than others do of him. He goes outside himself, he gives up his claims on himself, he opens himself to God like a flower opens to the sun. He will do whatever God wants him to do and be whatever God wants him to be. He is like melting wax -- God may press whatever stamp and impression He wants on him. The humble person is the self-denier.

2. Love. Who would not deny himself for a friend he loves? He will give up anything he has. He will do whatever pleases the one he loves, even at his own cost. The person whose heart burns with love for Christ will stop at nothing for His sake. Gregory Nazianzen said of his Athenian education that he was glad to have something valuable to count as worthless for Christ. Love for God would swallow up self-love.

3. Faith. Abraham was a great self-denier. He left his family and his country and traveled wherever God directed him. Where did this come from? It came from his faith. Hebrews 11:8, By faith Abraham obeyed, and went out, not knowing where he was going. The person who believes Christ is his and Heaven is his -- what will he not give up for Christ's sake? The stronger a Christian's faith, the greater his self-denial will be.

3. Pray earnestly for self-denial. Prayer puts God to work, Psalm 10:17. Some pray for assurance but lack self-denial -- as if God would put His seal on a blank page. Let this be your greatest request: a self-denying heart. Self-denial does not grow naturally. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Ask God to plant this heavenly flower in your soul. Say: Lord, whatever You deny me, do not deny me self-denial. Let me lack great abilities. Let me even lack the comforts of the Spirit. But do not let me lack self-denial. There may be a way to Heaven without comfort, but there is no way to Heaven without self-denial.