Self-discipline for Growth

GOLDEN TEXT: “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.” —Matthew 16:24

MATTHEW 16:24,25; I CORINTHIANS 9:24-27; HEBREWS 12:1-4

GROWTH as new creatures in Christ Jesus is undoubtedly greatly augmented by self-discipline. Solomon wrote, “He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.” (Prov. 16:32) If the desires and inclinations of the flesh are not kept in check, Christian growth is seriously impaired.

However, the Scripture passages cited for today’s lesson call for much more than self discipline. Our Golden Text, for example, is an invitation to sacrifice self completely, even unto death. To deny self means much more than to give up some trivial luxury which might be especially enjoyed by the flesh. It is, rather, a complete renouncing of self. It is the same word in the Greek text as used to describe Peter’s denial of the Lord.

Peter disclaimed all knowledge of, or friendship with Jesus. So our denial of self implies a turning of our backs upon self and a repudiation of all claims of friendship with the flesh. This, in turn, means that we accept a new headship over our lives, which is the will of God as expressed through Christ.

One of the principal laws governing human behavior is self-preservation; but when we deny self and take up our cross to follow Christ, we enter upon a course that leads to death. This is made clear by Jesus in the verse following our Golden Text, in which he says, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Jesus gave this lesson on the occasion when Peter endeavored to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem where his enemies were lying in wait to arrest him and put him to death. He said to Peter, “Thou savorest not the things which be of God, but those that be of men.” In other words, Peter had expressed a human viewpoint as to what should be done under the circumstances, and that was for Jesus to pursue a course that would not endanger his life.

But Jesus was being directed by the will of God, who had sent him into the world to die for the people. He knew that he was to give his flesh for the life of the world, and that any turning back from this covenant of sacrifice would mean unfaithfulness to his Heavenly Father, and the loss of his approval; and Jesus knew that only “in God’s favor is life.”—Ps. 30:5

Not only did Jesus’ eternal existence depend upon faithfully laying down his human life in sacrifice, but, as he explained, this is the only condition upon which anyone can be his disciple; that is, that he be willing also to deny self and lay down his life. It is concerning those who, through full consecration to do God’s will, embark upon this narrow way of sacrifice, that Jesus says, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

The Apostle Paul realized the seriousness of Christian discipleship, and the possibility of losing all through unfaithfulness. That is why he expressed his determination to keep his body under, or to “browbeat” it, as one translation suggests, lest, after preaching to others he might become a “castaway.”

But there is a wonderful compensating joy for those who sacrifice earthly ease and pleasure as they lay down their lives in the Master’s service. Jesus had this same joy “set before him,” and it was the inspiration afforded by this glorious hope that gave him strength to “endure the cross and despise the shame” associated with his death.

We are to “look unto Jesus” as our exemplar in faithfulness, as we lay aside “every weight, … and run with patience the race that is set before us.” Lest we become discouraged and “faint” while following in his steps, we should “consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.”

The Greek text translated, “Consider him,” could be more accurately translated, “Compare yourself with him.” This is brought out in verse 4, which reads, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Shed blood is symbolic of death, so Paul was telling the Hebrew brethren that while they may have suffered a great deal in the name of Christ, they had not yet laid down their lives. They had not yet gone all the way into death as Jesus had done.

It is well for every sacrificing Christian to bear this in mind. The way becomes difficult at times for all the Lord’s people, but it is always a great encouragement to “look unto Jesus,” and to compare our experience with his. Realizing that the Heavenly Father gave him strength in his times of greatest need, we can be assured that the same will be true of us. So may we continue on!

QUESTIONS

What does it mean to deny self?

How can a Christian save his life by losing it?

How did Paul suggest the possibility of losing his life?

What is meant by “resisting unto blood”?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |