Dying to Self

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  John 12:24

                “Dying to self” can be a troubling phrase.  Our human nature rebels at giving up control, yet dying to self is all about giving up control.  Why would a Christian consider dying to self?  It’s simple, and it’s not optional.  Look at Jesus’ example and Paul’s teachings.

    “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin… In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Romans 6: 6, 11-12.

There are many agricultural-based teachings in the Bible, and they fit here.  As some plants die, they produce seeds, which fall to the ground and produce a new plant; a new creation.  Sound familiar?  It should, if you’ve read the Apostle Paul’s writings.  Becoming a New Creation is one of the three or four primary themes that permeate Paul’s writings.  You can’t understand what he wrote if you don’t grasp the idea of becoming a New Creation.  You can’t live a Christian life, if you don’t embrace the concept of  living as a New Creation

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  II Cor. 5:17

 This is a great theological concept.  We die to self and God makes something new and better out of us.   But, what do you and I do with this next Tuesday, next Friday, etc.?  If this is to be applied in our lives, we need to intentionally surrender our wills and we need to recognize that God is indeed at work. We need to understand that this is an ongoing and repeated process whereby God is changing us---changing us from who we are to who we can be in Him.

              So, New Creation, where do you see God at work in you this week?

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Personal Reflection or Discussion Questions

Read Ephesians 4:22-24. In light of this passage, what new creation is buried inside of me that can be brought to life through Christ? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Reflecting on Ephesians 4:22-24, what attitudes can I put on, or adopt, that will facilitate positive change? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Prayer: Reflecting specifically on this devotional, `write out a prayer to God. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________