What do we need to die to? - Part 2/3
We need to die, to be alive.
Continuing the series on living the resurrected lifestyle...
“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31
A born again believer is dead to sin. He or She is fully aware of the finished work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
Why do so many believers backslide or can’t seem to grow? The hearts desires are still stuck in the old way of life. The old way felt good, it seemed easier as well.
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39)
There needs to be a renewal in the knowledge of God. Set affections on things above, not on the things of the earth.
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:1-3, 10)
Ephesians 4:25-32, gives us a long list of who the old man is, or the old natures are.
What do we need to die to first?
I’d like to share three enemies to which we need to die daily;
We need to die to Sin
"..if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain... if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17)
Unless we do not believe in the power of resurrection, we cannot walk by faith. If we cannot walk by faith, we are still in our sins. It is the power of God that works in us that helps us to overcome all evil spirits or sinful natures that try to go against us.
The evil natures mentioned in Ephesians 4:25-32, must not be found reigning over any brother or sister in Christ.
The devil is waiting to devour believers, that’s his only aim (1 Peter 5:8). The devil’s agenda is to ensure sin rules over mankind.
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4:7)
Secondly, because we are in the world but not of it...
We need to die to the World
When we love God, His faith in us enables us to live like Jesus, rejecting the world and the things of this world (1 John 2:15). Those who love the world or the things of this world do not have the Father’s love in them. We may think we don’t really “love” the world as such, but how we spend our time daily will reveal how we’ve taken this life for granted.
Today, the impact of pandemic and natural disasters have humbled many non-believers who are realising that they cannot control anything in this world. Some are turning to God, interested to learn. Believers must die to the lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life that will attempt to lure us away from our calling. We should be available to respond to those who are truly seeking.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)
media and technology is an enabler...
Most Christians underestimate the power of media and technology. How? Wasting their time in watching television, mobile web-series, movies, and other worldly entertainment. They find joy in these indulgences; but worldly joy and Godly joy cannot mix. This lack of revelation keeps them weak spiritually, driving them again and again into anxiety when trials or temptations come their way.
The Bible says, ‘Redeem the Time, the days are evil’. When we replace spiritual joy with worldly joy we hurt our walk with God. Many find this teaching hard. It takes them away from a lifestyle of pleasure they’ve enjoyed for so long. No believer can overcome nor understand anything about heaven till they give quality time to God daily in prayer and personal bible study.
Another key challenge in life is...
Dying to Self
Many Christians do not recognise the persecution in their minds and hearts is from the devil. The spiritual warfare we are in is unceasing; now heightened because of technology and the instant lifestyle we are getting pulled into. Mentally and emotionally traumatised people do not seek God to overcome various disorders and behavioural issues - they are today seeking help from man. Many are getting comfortable with their mental problems, labelling them and falling into the trap of self victimisation. The devil ends up getting a stronghold. The strongholds of sin cannot be broken using medicine or psychology. You need the power of the Holy Spirit tearing through these strongholds.
Matthew 23, reveals the self righteous natures of man that affect the believer. How he craves for position, recognition, praises, and is full of spiritual pride.
We need to go where the battle really is. In the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12). Every morning, give your life to God. Put on the whole armour of God. Seek to do His will. Learn to hear His voice so you can live a resurrected life daily, dying to Sin, World and Self.