HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

This is one of the Master’s hard sayings!

There is my proud religious self — it has to be denied at the very outset. I have my own thoughts about how my salvation may be won, and my own objections to God’s way of redeeming me. But He takes no account of my good works. He ranks me with the chief of sinners. How it humbles my pride!

There is my indulgent self — it has to be denied every day, that I walk with Him. I crave comfort and ease and pleasure. And He commands me to undertake some trying duty — or to make some painful sacrifice — or to bear and forbear with men who provoke and wound me.

There is my planning and scheming self — it has to be denied a hundred times over. In my Christian work, I have my cherished ideas, my favourite methods, and my arrangements which, I think, are sure to achieve success. And Christ will have none of them. He leads me in paths at which my heart rebels.

And there is my impatient self — it has to be denied, and I cannot tell how often. If I had my will, I would inaugurate the kingdom of God tomorrow. I would usher in Christ’s reign of righteousness and peace. But Jesus says, “It is I, My child, who have to decide when the hour is ripe.” But ah, Lord, how hard it is to wait!

It is no child’s play, this daily self-denial. It is a perpetual crucifixion! Morning by morning I must brace myself to it . . .

• by a new act of faith,
• by earnest prayer,
• by the fresh filling of the Spirit of God.