p. 16 | Getting Rid of Self by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 9, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 15.

Getting Rid of Self.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

It is quite generally recognized that “self” is the great thing that stands in the way of Christian progress, and that it must be denied and put away. Accordingly, we hear people express the determination to get rid of self, so that the Lord may have complete possession. But too many forget that they themselves can not put away self; for it is obvious that when self attempts to put self away, self will remain all the time. Self is sin, and only Christ can put away sin. He hath appeared to “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Heb. 9: 26. He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal. 1: 4. Only the power by which he “emptied himself,” can empty us of self. Let us rejoice that he is abundantly able to do it, and simply yield ourselves to him, that he may work his own will in us.

E. J. W.