SELF-DENIAL

The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial. Matthew Henry (English pastor. 1662-1714).

....put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. (Proverbs 23:2).

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me", but I must not be enslaved by anything (I Corinthians 6:12).

See also John 12:15.

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken. (Henry F. Lite, 1824)

SELF-DENIAL

 

If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of God, any table better than the Lord's table, any person better than Christ, any indulgence better than the hope of heaven -- take alarm! ---- Thomas Guthrie.

 

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he was looking to the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26)

 

But whatever gain I had, I counted a loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ.... (Philippians 3:7-16).

Self-Denial

Sacrifice alone, bare and unrelieved, is ghastly, unnatural, and dead; but self-sacrifice, illuminated by love, is warmth and life; it is the death of Christ, the life of God, and the blessedness and only proper life of man. ---- F. W. Robertson

And He said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or or forfeits himself ?(Luke 9:23-26) 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of Christ: JESUS, I MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN.

From the performance documentary Roots and Wings: The Story of Indelible Grace and the RUF Hymns