The foundation of the plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. Jesus left the royal courts and became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. All who share this salvation, purchased for them at such an infinite sacrifice by the Son of God, will follow the example of the true Pattern. Christ was the chief Cornerstone, and we must build upon this Foundation. Each must have a spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. The life of Christ upon earth was unselfish; it was marked with humiliation and sacrifice. And shall men, partakers of the great salvation which Jesus came from heaven to bring them, refuse to follow their Lord and to share in His self-denial and sacrifice? Says Christ: “I am the Vine, ye are the branches.” “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” The very vital principle, the sap which flows through the vine, nourishes the branches, that they may flourish and bear fruit. Is the servant greater than his Lord? Shall the world’s Redeemer practice self-denial and sacrifice on our account, and the members of Christ’s body practice self-indulgence? Self-denial is an essential condition of discipleship. {3T 387.3}

Grundvolden til frelsens plan blev lagt i opofrelse. Jesus forlod de kongelige boliger og blev fattig, for at vi ved hans fattigdom skulle blive rige. Alle, som har del i den frelse, Guds søn købte til dem ved en så uendelig opofrelse, vil følge det sande mønsters eksempel. Kristus var hovedhjørnestenen og vi må bygge på denne grundvold. Enhver må besidde selvfornægtelsens og selvopofrelsens ånd. Kristi liv på jorden var uegennyttigt; det var præget af ydmygelse og opofrelse, Skal mennesker, der har del i så stor en frelse, som Jesus kom fra himmelen for at bringe dem, undslå sig for at følge deres herre og for at have del i hans selvfornægtelse og opofrelse? Kristus siger: »Jeg er vintræet, I er grenene.« »Hver gren på mig, som ikke bærer frugt, den tager han bort og hver, som bærer frugt, den renser han, for at den skal bære mere frugt.« Det meget vigtige livsprincip, saften, der flyder gennem vinstokken, giver grenene næring, for at de må kunne blomstre og bære frugt. (388) Er tjeneren større end sin herre? Skal verdens Genløser vise selvfornægtelse og opofrelse for vor skyld og lemmerne på Kristi legeme leve i selvisk nydelse? Selvfornægtelse er en væsentlig betingelse for discipelforholdet.