Erroneous Ideas Respecting Self-Denial
A. H. K. Boyd D. D. Luke 9:23 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. There is a current idea that it is a fine thing to go through self-imposed trials — to do what is disagreeable just because it is disagreeable: it is noble to climb Alpine heights — not because the slightest good is to come of your doing so — not because you have the faintest idea of what you are to do when you reach their summit; — but just because it is difficult and dangerous to climb them, and most men would rather not. Some people now-a-days appear to think that when our blessed Lord uttered the sublime words which form the text, He meant that we are to be always seeking out a tribe of petty disagreeables — constantly finding out something we don't like to do, and then doing it: some people, I do believe, have a vague impression in their minds which they have never put into shape, but which really comes to this, that God would be angry if He saw His creatures cheerful and happy. Oh, the wicked delusion! God is love! When will men believe that grand foundation-truth I You may see something like God's feeling in the kindly smile with which the kind parent looks on at the merry sports of his children, delighted to see them innocently happy. But believe it, brethren, there is nothing the least like God, in the sour, morose look of the gloomy fanatic, as he turns with sulky indignation from the sight of people who venture to be harmlessly cheerful. (A. H. K. Boyd D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.