Psalms 131:2

Psalms 131:2

Self-denial of some kind or other is involved, as is evident, in the very notion of renewal and holy obedience. To change our hearts is to learn to love things which we do not naturally love, to unlearn the love of the world; but this involves, of course, a thwarting of our natural wishes and tastes. To be righteous and obedient implies self-command; but to possess power we must have gained it: nor can we gain it without a vigorous struggle, a persevering warfare against ourselves. The very notion of being religious implies self-denial, because by nature we do not love religion.

I. Fasting is clearly a Christian duty, as our Saviour implies in His sermon on the mount. Christian self-denial is not merely a mortification of what is sinful, but an abstinence even from God's blessings.

II. Christ says, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Here He shows us from His own example what Christian self-denial is. It is a taking on us a cross after His pattern, not a mere refraining from sin for He had no sin but a giving up what we might lawfully use. This was the peculiar character in which Christ came on earth. It was this spontaneous and exuberant self-denial which brought Him down. The Son of God so loved us, that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. Here is our Saviour's self-denial. He "pleased not Himself."

III. Self-denial is incumbent upon us for many reasons. The Christian denies himself in things lawful because he is aware of his own weakness and liability to sin; he dares not walk on the edge of a precipice; instead of going to the extreme of what is allowable, he keeps at a distance from evil, that he may be safe. Christ bids those who would be highest live as the lowest; therefore turn from ambitious thoughts, and, as far as you religiously may, make resolves against taking on you authority and rule. Avoid the dangerous air which relaxes you, and brace yourself upon the heights. So shall self-denial become natural to you, and a change come over you gently and imperceptibly; and, like Jacob, you will lie down in the waste and will soon see angels and a way opened for you into heaven.

Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times" vol. v., p. 57.

References: Psalms 131:2 . Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxi., No. 1210; Plain Sermons by Contributors to " Tracts for the Times, " vol. viii., p. 200; J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. vii., p. 86; J. Keble, Sermons for Sundays after Trinity, Part II., p. 163.