“Denying ungodliness” (Titus ii. 12).
Let us say, “No,” to the flesh, the world and the love of self, and learn
that holy self-denial in which consists so much of the life of obedience.
Make no provision for the flesh; give no recognition to your lower life.
Say “No” to everything earthly and selfish. How very much of the life of
faith consists in simply denying ourselves.
We begin with one great “Yes,” to God, and then we conclude with an
eternal “No,” to ourselves, the world, the flesh and the devil.
If you look at the ten commandments of the Decalogue, you will find that
nearly every one of them is a “Thou shalt not.” If you read the thirteenth
chapter of First Corinthians, with its beautiful picture of love, you will
find that most of the characteristics of love are in the negative, what
love “does not, thinks not, says not, is not.” And so you will find that
the largest part of the life of consecration is really saying, “No.”
I am not my own,
I belong to Him.
I am His alone,
I belong to Him.