LIVES of outstanding men and women, as recorded in history and biography, are frequently characterized by self-denial. Great religious leaders, statesmen, and philanthropists have often subordinated personal aims and desires to the accomplishment of some worthy purpose or ideal. And human opinion has been accustomed to regard such subordination of self as involving great sacrifice, and sometimes even martyrdom.
That self-denial is a requisite to individual progress in Christian Science, our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, repeatedly affirms in her writings. On page 462 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says, in reference to the demonstration of healing power, that "self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life." However, an analysis of the term "self-denial," in the light which Christian Science throws upon the real selfhood of man, as the image and likeness of God, eliminates any thought of sacrifice or suffering.
In the first place, it is obvious that the only selfhood which we can possibly deny is a false selfhood. We would not and could not deny the manifestation and expression of the true spiritual self that is the reflection of God. Certainly, there is no sacrifice involved in the denial of a falsehood. Moreover, the nature of the false material sense of self is nothing that we would wish to perpetuate. Mrs. Eddy classifies the false sense of self with sin and materiality—recognized foes to man's peace and freedom.
