I came across this writing probably 30 years ago. It was, to say the least, extremely profound. It has produced a perpetual revelation in my life as I continue in this walk with Jesus. Some of you will not like this, others may have the same response I did many years ago, which was the desire to see it in operation in your life. This life we live is not about us, but it is about Jesus living His life in us day after day. PLEASE REALIZE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEALING WITH SIN, JESUS HAS DONE THAT! THIS IS ABOUT DEALING WITH MYSELF, AND YOURSELF!
Galatians 2:17-21, from The Message Translation, says this, "(vs.17) Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren't perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin? The accusation is frivolous. (vs.18) If I was "trying to be good," I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan. (vs.19) What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. (vs.20) Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (vs.21) I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."
I am learning to live this writing by letting Jesus live His life in, and through, me! It's been exciting to say the least. At times I have been down right surprised at my reaction, but very pleased! It let me know the power of His Spirit was working in my life in ways I had not even prayed about! Please, read this and see how God would want to apply this to your life.
"DYING TO SELF"
WHEN YOU ARE FORGOTTEN OR NEGLECTED OR PURPOSELY SET AT NOUGHT, AND YOU DON'T STING AND HURT WITH THE INSULT OR OVERSIGHT, BUT YOUR HEART IS HAPPY, BEING COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOUR GOOD IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, WHEN YOUR WISHES ARE CROSSED, YOUR ADVISE DISREGARDED, YOUR OPINIONS RIDICULED, AND YOU REFUSE TO ALLOW ANGER TO RISE IN YOUR HEART, OR EVEN DEFEND YOURSELF, BUT TAKE IT ALL IN PATIENT, LOVING, SILENCE; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOU LOVINGLY AND PATIENTLY BEAR ANY DISORDER, ANY IRREGULARITY ANY INPUNCTUALITY OR ANY ANNOYANCE; WHEN YOU CAN STAND FACE TO FACE WITH WASTE, FOLLY, EXTRAVAGANCE, SPIRITUAL INSENSIBILITY AND ENDURE IT AS JESUS ENDURED IT; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOU ARE CONTENT WITH ANY FOOD, ANY RAIMENT, ANY OFFERING, ANY CLIMATE, ANY SOCIETY, ANY SOLITUDE, ANY INTERRUPTION BY THE WILL OF GOD; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOU NEVER CARE TO REFER TO YOURSELF IN CONVERSATION OR RECORD YOUR OWN GOOD WORKS, OR TO ITCH AFTER COMMENDATION, WHEN YOU CAN TRULY LOVE TO BE UNKNOWN; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOU CAN SEE YOUR BROTHER, OR SISTER, PROSPER AND HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET AND CAN HONESTLY REJOICE WITH THEM IN SPIRIT, AND FEEL NO ENVY, AND NOT QUESTION GOD AS TO WHY YOUR NEEDS ARE FAR GREATER AND IN MORE DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
WHEN YOU CAN RECEIVE CORRECTION AND REPROOF FROM ONE OF LESS STATUE THAN YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN HUMBLY SUBMIT INWARDLY, AS WELL AS OUTWARDLY, FINDING NO REBELLION AND NO RESENTMENT RISING UP WITHIN YOUR HEART; THAT IS DYING TO SELF
ARE YOU DEAD YET?
