Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. To row against the tide of one's inclinations, to stem the rapid current of one's appetites and affections, to struggle against the violent motions of our will, and to wrestle with the opposition of our contending faculties; this is an employment that is laborious and uneasy, this is a performance that we pay dearly for; and the reward of such a warfare will certainly be proportionable to the hardships and difficulties with which we have encountered. I. EXPLAIN AND STATE RIGHTLY THE GREAT DUTY OF SELF-DENIAL, and show wherein the exercise of it does properly consist. 1. It does not consist in utterly refusing, without distinction, all such things as we are inclined to. 2. Neither does the exercise of self-denial at present consist in such a constant and entire withdrawing from worldly enjoyments, as was necessarily practised by the first converts of Christianity. 3. The exercise of self-denial does indispensably consist in a total forbearance of unlawful enjoyments, however fondly we may be inclined or addicted to them. 4. The exercise of self-denial does further consist in weaning ourselves from all such entertainments, as may withhold or divert us from the service of God. 5. Also in avoiding such things as are neither unlawful nor inconvenient for us, if by using them we give just offence to our brethren. 6. Also in being habitually prepared to renounce all things, even our most dear and most lawful enjoyments, whenever God or religion shall require it at our hands. II. LAY DOWN SOME POWERFUL MOTIVES which may forcibly persuade us to the practice of this duty. 1. The example of our blessed Saviour. 2. The immediate happy consequences of such a performance, and the advantages that will attend it in this present life. 3. The vast reward which is annexed to this performance, and the benefit which will redound to us from it in another world. (Nicholas Brady.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. |
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