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by Kevin Pauley
We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. - 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 HCSB
Dying to self means we no longer stand condemned by the old quasi-ascetic judgments of human religion; religiously unclean food or drink, ceremonial festivals, new moons or Sabbath days. These things are mere shadows; insubstantial, ephemeral ghosts of the real thing – which is the Messiah.[1] Since we have died with Christ to the elemental forces of this world, we no longer live as ones who belong to the world. We no longer feel bound by its ridiculous regulations, “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch.”[2]
However, that does not mean that we live unjudged, undisciplined lives.[3] We daily put to death whatever in us is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire and greed which is the very definition of idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language and dishonesty. We live honest, wholesome lives, constantly renewing our knowledge according to what we have learned of Him so that we can better conform to His image.[4]
We know this death principle is trustworthy and we count on the expectation that if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him. If we keep working these principles of death into our lives[5] without quitting, we will reign with Him.
To the degree that we deny Him access to our lives or worse yet, deny His lordship and sovereignty in our lives to others, we will find ourselves denied on Judgment Day. However, we hold on to the hope that though we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself.[6] What He has promised He will deliver.[7]
Those who place their trust in the Messiah’s saving power will one day find themselves before His throne and worship the One who lives forever and ever. Even there the death to self principle will remain. We will take our crowns, our rewards and plaudits that we have gained while in this temporary place, and will cast them at his feet. We will raise our hands and cry out, “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.”
The difference will be that then we will no longer need faith for we will see Him face to face[8] – and only love will remain.[9]
[7] Numbers 11:23; Deuteronomy 26:19; Joshua 23:15; Psalm 89:34; 2 Peter 3:8-13
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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