From the Baptismal Rite from The Book of Common Prayer:
Question:We don't talk a lot about renunciation in Christianity. Conservative Christians talk a lot about "being forgiven" but they don't talk a lot about renunciation. Progressive Christians talk a lot about "justice" but they don't talk a lot about renunciation.
Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer:
I renounce them.
Question:
Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer:
I renounce them.
Question:
Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer:
I renounce them.
The Latin root of the word renunciation means "to protest against". The contemporary definition of renunciation means "the formal rejection of something". Synonyms of renunciation are: Abstention from, refraining from, going without, giving up, eschewal of, repudiation, rejection, and abandonment.
Sound familiar?
As the Prayer Book indicates, renouncing sin is a big part of Christian identity. It's who we are and what we do. To confess Jesus is Lord -- to say "yes" -- also entails refusing to confess other things -- saying "no". That's renunciation.
For Jesus, this renunciation was inherently a denial of the self, a denial that creates the shape of the cruciform life.
Then Jesus said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9.23).Renunciation sits at the heart of Christian discipleship. Whoever wants to be a disciple of mine, Jesus says, must deny themselves.
This denial is also described as self-mortification -- dying to the self.
Now, most folks who know me, know my ascetic streak. It's joy-full and grace-filled, but I'm a big believer in sanctification and spiritual maturity, and that those involve habitual acts of self-restraint and self-denial. It's no secret that I'm hard on myself. And I think that's important.
Some folks, though, have a low tolerance for this kind of talk. It raises to many ghosts from their past about conservative legalism. It rattles skeletons in closets about monastic severity.
To say nothing that folks with low self-esteem hardly need to be talking about "self-denial".
But that doesn't diminish the fact that the cross is a multivalent symbol. As Luke 9.23 clearly points out, yes, the cross is a symbol of self-mortification. To "take up the cross" means to "deny yourself".
But at the same time the cross is also a symbol of self-giving, self-donation and self-offering. The cross is also a symbol of love.
Which is to say, the sacrifice of the cross is a dying to the self that allows you to give yourself to others.
You aren't denying yourself in order to earn your way into heaven. Self-denial isn't about collecting spiritual merit badges. Nor are you denying yourself because God is a Puritanical Judge waiting to zap you with lighting bolts if you eat chocolate, dance or have an orgasm.
No, the reason you deny yourself is so that you can make yourself increasingly available to others.
Love requires self-mastery. Love requires a denial of the self.
Love requires discipline. Love is discipline.
Love involves the renunciation of sin in our lives. A renunciation of wickedness and the Devil.
Ponder the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How much self-denial is involved in, say, being patient? How much restraint and self-discipline?
What about gentleness? How much restraint, self-discipline, and self-denial is involved in being tender and gentle when you are frustrated, upset, angry, rushed, tired or irritable? Or when someone is being difficult, aggressive or hostile?
What about faithfulness? How much restraint, self-discipline, and self-denial are involved in fidelity, staying true to commitments, promises, and covenants?
My point here is that when we speak of "renouncing sin" we aren't thinking of Puritanism. We are thinking of self-discipline as a foundational capacity that allows the fruits of the Spirit to grow and flourish.