Spurgeon’s Puritan Catechism, like the Westminster Catechism on which it is based, begins by asking, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, of course, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” Over the past few years meditation on this great biblical truth has shaped my understanding of the Scripture, my ministry, and my way of life. I have also come to understand that this truth is inseparable from another great truth of Scripture, self-denial.
For about fifteen years I have struggled, and continue to struggle, with the issue of self-denial. The Bible clearly teaches that self-denial is essential to our salvation and sanctification (Luke 9:230), but just what does self-denial entail? It is not the self-denial promoted by the ascetics nor that practiced by those who afflict their own bodies—that is salvation and sanctification by works rather than grace—but, because that is what most have in mind when they hear the words ‘self-denial’, most simply give lip-service to the concept and continue in their self-indulgent ways. Clearly that is not what God has in mind either, but just what does self-denial mean? I do not pretend to fully understand the concept, but part of what it means is that true believers live to glorify God rather than to live for themselves. Paul’s famous words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), express the concept of self-denial quite well. However, because few believers are asked to give their physical lives for Christ, self-denial remains a nebulous concept rather than a clear practice.
This blog will reflect my journey to understand God’s glory and my own self-denial. It will be a journey through the Scripture, prayer, fasting, the writings of the saints who have gone before us, and the counsel of godly brothers and sisters in Christ. May we together desire God’s glory as Moses did on Mt. Sinai and live for his glory through self-denial as Jesus did on the Cross.
Lance Johnson, Pastor
Iglesia Betania, Denton, Texas
11 July 2010
