All moments of unhappiness in life are ultimately due to the separation. A person who is in real communion with God and with the Lord Jesus Christ is happy. It does not matter whether he is in a dungeon, or whether he has his feet fast in the stocks, or whether he is burning at the stake; he is still happy if he is in communion with God. Is that not the experience of the saints down the centuries?

In a sermon preached on Matthew 5:38–42 titled “Denying Self and Following Christ”, Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenged his audience to “realize the extent to which self controls your life.”1

I found his words a needed rebuke as well and poignant description of some emotional issues I’ve faced over the years. I hope it challenges you to take up your cross and follow Christ with greater faith and greater joy.

Examine yourself and your life, your ordinary work, the things you do, the contacts you have to make with people. Reflect for a moment upon the extent to which self comes into all that. It is an amazing and terrible discovery to note that extent to which self-interest and self-concern are involved, even in the preaching of the gospel. It is a horrible discovery.

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