3. Dying to self. Luke 9:23
Christians realise that the nature we inherit from Adam is sinful. If an individual has not been convicted of sin, he or she will not see a need for a saviour (1 Timothy 1:15). However, it seems to us that not everything we say or do is in fact sin. Sin dwells in the flesh. However, the cross causes us to die to the flesh and we are raised together with Christ. (Romans 8, 3&4). We die to sin. Yet there is still a problem.
Sin dwells in the flesh and we are delivered instantly by our co-death with Christ (Romans 6). However, we have another aspect of human nature that is not directly related to sin. The Bible calls this "the natural man" (1 Corinthians 2:14). This is in the realm of the soul and may described as "self". Self will, self love, selfish ambition etc. are characteristics of self. The clearest example of this is when Jesus announced that He was going to Jerusalem to die. Peter had just received revelation from God as to who Jesus really was. Then he used his own reason and logic to rebuke Jesus for saying that He (Jesus) must die. (Mark 8:33) Peter went from hero to zero in no time at all. How easy it is for Christians to fall into the same trap.
There are times in the Christian's life when God requires obedience that seems unreasonable and even unfair. Some have been required to quit a theological course when they were close to passing. Some have been required to quit a good job, break off a relationship, turn away from friends or move to a far off country. Naturally speaking, those requirements make no sense. But spiritually, God seeks to break the hold of self so that we can move into the highest realm, the realm of the Spirit.
Logic and reason are open to satanic influences, as Adam found in Eden. The devil is still the craftiest being. Who could fault Peter for wanting to protect Jesus? Or did Jesus know that Peter was worried that he too would be put to death?
The greatest victory in a Christian's life comes under the greatest pressure. When every fibre of our being revolts at God's will, victory is ours when we say, "Not my will but yours". Every Christian will face their own personal "Gethsemene" sooner or later. By God's grace, if we are willing, we will overcome the clamouring of self and become that much more spiritual.
Dying to self is a daily experience (Luke 9:23). Yes, there will be a "Gethsemene" type experience sometime, and perhaps more than once. However, it may something as simple as getting out of bed earlier or not eating that extra helping of pudding. Each time we resist, we get stronger. Each time we give in, we get a a little weaker.
Athletes understand this. They get up early to train. They obey the coach. Physically, the body may be saying "enough!" The coach may say, "Keep pushing! You can do it". Are we willing to forego pleasing self in order to please God? A glorious prize awaits those who learn God's ways and who choose to reject self will. And it does get easier. We discover that God's will is vastly superior to self will. One day, we will honestly say, "I delight to do your will, Oh God". That is victory.
Christians realise that the nature we inherit from Adam is sinful. If an individual has not been convicted of sin, he or she will not see a need for a saviour (1 Timothy 1:15). However, it seems to us that not everything we say or do is in fact sin. Sin dwells in the flesh. However, the cross causes us to die to the flesh and we are raised together with Christ. (Romans 8, 3&4). We die to sin. Yet there is still a problem.
Sin dwells in the flesh and we are delivered instantly by our co-death with Christ (Romans 6). However, we have another aspect of human nature that is not directly related to sin. The Bible calls this "the natural man" (1 Corinthians 2:14). This is in the realm of the soul and may described as "self". Self will, self love, selfish ambition etc. are characteristics of self. The clearest example of this is when Jesus announced that He was going to Jerusalem to die. Peter had just received revelation from God as to who Jesus really was. Then he used his own reason and logic to rebuke Jesus for saying that He (Jesus) must die. (Mark 8:33) Peter went from hero to zero in no time at all. How easy it is for Christians to fall into the same trap.
There are times in the Christian's life when God requires obedience that seems unreasonable and even unfair. Some have been required to quit a theological course when they were close to passing. Some have been required to quit a good job, break off a relationship, turn away from friends or move to a far off country. Naturally speaking, those requirements make no sense. But spiritually, God seeks to break the hold of self so that we can move into the highest realm, the realm of the Spirit.
Logic and reason are open to satanic influences, as Adam found in Eden. The devil is still the craftiest being. Who could fault Peter for wanting to protect Jesus? Or did Jesus know that Peter was worried that he too would be put to death?
The greatest victory in a Christian's life comes under the greatest pressure. When every fibre of our being revolts at God's will, victory is ours when we say, "Not my will but yours". Every Christian will face their own personal "Gethsemene" sooner or later. By God's grace, if we are willing, we will overcome the clamouring of self and become that much more spiritual.
Dying to self is a daily experience (Luke 9:23). Yes, there will be a "Gethsemene" type experience sometime, and perhaps more than once. However, it may something as simple as getting out of bed earlier or not eating that extra helping of pudding. Each time we resist, we get stronger. Each time we give in, we get a a little weaker.
Athletes understand this. They get up early to train. They obey the coach. Physically, the body may be saying "enough!" The coach may say, "Keep pushing! You can do it". Are we willing to forego pleasing self in order to please God? A glorious prize awaits those who learn God's ways and who choose to reject self will. And it does get easier. We discover that God's will is vastly superior to self will. One day, we will honestly say, "I delight to do your will, Oh God". That is victory.
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