Self-Denial by Thirza M. Foster

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1867

Self-Denial.

By Thirza M. Foster

OUR SAVIOUR says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow, me.” Again he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Without the way which Jesus has opened, we could never be redeemed from the curse of sin; and lost Paradise could never be restored. Without the truth, which he has communicated to us through the Gospel, we could not know the way. Without the Comforter, which the Father sends in Jesus’ name, we could not obey the truth. Jesus is the perfect way, the unfailing truth, and in him is anchored the Christian’s blessed hope of immortality. Jesus says, “Follow me.” He is the way we must go, the truth we must believe, and if we follow him, he will give us eternal life, and we shall never perish. But, in order to follow our self-denying and crucified Redeemer, we must deny ourselves. We must sell all, before we can go and purchase the field containing the richest treasure. We must subject ourselves cheerfully to the will of God. We must turn away from our own wills, restrain the appetites of the flesh, and use the things pertaining unto this life with moderation. Nature must be sustained. The law of nature demands plain, wholesome food, and comfortable clothing. With the comforts of life we should be content. When we seek flesh-pleasing modes of life, which do not minister to our real wants, we rebel against the Spirit of God, and are not following Jesus in the true way. Jesus says, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” His word commands us to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts. But our Lord does not expect us to do this in a single day. Long-formed evil habits are opposed to newly-formed habits of holiness.

We have a conflict to encounter, a warfare to engage in. The flesh will murmur and rebel against the Spirit. Satan will deceive and tempt us to revolt. We are never secure from his attacks. We need continually to have on the “whole armor of God.” If we would reign with Jesus, we must take up our cross and suffer with him. It is only through great tribulation that we can enter into the kingdom of God. We must patiently endure whatever falls to our lot in life. In these last days, we must prepare our hearts for great and sore trials, labor, anxiety, poverty, pain, humiliation, and persecution. And even if we should be called to sacrifice our lives for the truth, we must do it cheerfully, for the promise of our Saviour is sure, “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

As the precious light of present truth is now shining upon our pathway, is it not our duty to walk in the light? Let us leave all, though it should be crossing to human nature, and even separate us from home and sever every kindred tie. Jesus will not forsake us;

“He’ll be our strength and our support, Our Captain and our Guide, Until our little bark is moored On Jordan’s peaceful side.”

THIRZA M. FOSTER.

Vienna, Wis.