DYING TO SELF
As we mature in Christ, we are ever-increasingly brought into this theme: dying to self. There is no advance in Christ without dying to self (Luke 9:23-25; 14:25-35; John 3:30; 2Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20). This is because spiritual maturity is the increase of Christ in us (i.e His presence, nature and character, person, life, etc) until there is no more “I” but Christ.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV):
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Luke 9:23-25(KJV):
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
We must decrease that Christ may increase and dying to self is the process that accomplishes this. Dying to self is the direct consequence of doing His will and not ours in every aspect of our lives, from smallest to the greatest. In this, we practically and experiential acknowledge His Lordship and give Him true worship. Jesus is Lord!
When we enter into this mode of living, we stop doing our own thing, seeking our own profit and benefit; we stop doing what we want and stop seeking what we desire but what He wills. Our lives are described by this phrase: “To do as He wills and to be as He is”.
Maturing sons quickly grow beyond knowing the Lord as the Savior who takes away all inconvenience and begin to know Him as the Lord to whom they must submit joyfully and with great reverence and the one whose will must be done, thus declaring Him as God and Lord in their lives.
These growing sons exit self-seeking childish realms of walking with God and access that depth where their daily and constant cry, like their Master Jesus in the days of His flesh, regardless of their desire and need; pleasant alternatives and the cost and negative immediate consequences of obedience is “Nevertheless not my will but Your will be done!”
These ones have learned that the broad and easy paths lead to death and shame, though many trod it, but the narrow and difficult path on which their Master bids them t walk is the only way that leads to true life though few walk thereon. (Matt. 7:13-14).
This is true discipleship demonstrating that he loves the Lord more than himself thus seeks the Lord’s pleasure above its own, (Love seeketh not her own) and the hour has come or the saints to walk this path because the Lord must have a mature church on the Earth ready to do His every bidding, prepared unto every good work.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (KJV):
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
All images credited to Google Search.
God bless you and Maranatha
