Each of us was born seeing our ‘self’ as king or queen. We didn’t care if mom or dad was exhausted after we kept them up most of the night or were sick or injured. When we were hungry or wanted our diapers changed, we demanded immediate action. As we mature, we hear far too much about ‘self’-fulfillment and ‘self’-promotion. We live life out sitting on the throne of the kingdom of ‘self’, also called the flesh.
When Peter pushed-back on Jesus’ words about Him having to suffer abuse and being killed, Jesus rebuked him. Jesus then took head-on the human kingdom of ‘self’-bias. Jesus told his disciples, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24, ESV). Taking on this perspective would be like trying to swim upstream on the raging Colorado River. Yet it is crystal clear. If a person is going to be a Christ-follower, he or she must deny ‘self’. It also needs to be clear that Jesus is not espousing the “death of self”, He is calling for “death to self’. These prepositional differences change everything. Jesus is not talking about considering ourselves worthless! He went through what He did in order to save us, not destroy us. He is saying that if you try to save your own life, you will lose your soul.
It needs to be understood, a life of death to ‘self’ CANNOT be done by self-discipline. When a person is challenged to die to ‘self’, they often first think, “I must control myself.” That is a prime illustration of how deceitful our ‘self’-centered heart is. (Jeremiah 17:9). Death-to-self’ is to stop living for self and with His empowerment live for Jesus Christ and His love for others.
Paul wrote a profound statement. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have (past tense) nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there (Galatians 5:24, NLT2). This is a violent word-picture of what goes on when a person surrenders their life to Christ. Your sinful ‘self’ nature (flesh) is totally hostile towards God. (Romans 7:23). The decision is not a ritualistic prayer, it involves a humbling crucifixion of the ‘self’ will with all its passions and desires. Death to ‘self’ is an exchange for the life of self-centeredness for Christ’s life. (2 Peter 1:4). When that occurs within the core of the person, it radically changes one’s desires for self-gratification to God-gratification. (Ezekiel 36:27).
The notion that accepting Jesus is enough for salvation can be misleading. The foundation of salvation is built on a godly sorrow for ‘self’, making a mess of our life and a radical submission to Christ taking control of our daily decisions (2 Corinthians 7:10). When the life of Christ replaces our self-centered desires, it’s like a spiritual Continental Divide. Life begins to flow in the opposite direction. Our self-centered desires are replaced by the life of Christ, which motivates us to follow God’s ways.
When our trust lies in our personality, abilities, knowledge, and others’ approval, we are not relying on God but on ourselves. (John 5:44). Remember, the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will (Romans 8:7, NLT2). As long as self dominates, we cannot have the confidence that gives us His rest, peace, and joy.
Do you sense a need to return to this spiritual Continental Divide and once again totally surrender your whole ‘self’ to Almighty God so His desires are seen in your daily life?