Glorifying God through death to self

“I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2,20 (AMPC)

For this particular article, I pray that you may perceive what is being said and have understanding beyond the words used to convey this message.

Coming to the knowledge of the truth actually means going beyond acquiring knowledge as simple information. In every believer’s journey, there needs to be a realization: an awakening that comes and that is, in essence, coming to the knowledge of the truth. A reality that always existed becomes visible to a person’s eyes to the end that this reality that was seen becomes tangible and materialized in their life.

In Matthew 16,25, Jesus said to His disciples: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Jesus spoke these words shortly after revealing to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed and be raised on the third day (Matthew 16,21-28).

But Peter, one of his disciples and apostles rebuked him and said that it should not be so. But this was the way to save humanity, this was the very reason Jesus came on earth.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Verse 24). With such words, Jesus was basically saying, 'this is how things will be done and I have chosen to do the will of God. If you want to learn from me, learn that this is how I live.'

“No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.” John 15,13-14 (AMPC)

“You are My friends if you do what I command you”, Jesus says. (John 15,14)

Nonetheless, doing what Jesus commands requires, in most cases, dying to self.

Dying to self is not physical death. It is letting go of the self-will that goes against God’s will.

It is the decision that spells out that Jesus is indeed Lord and that His way will be the only way.

That my friend, kills carnality (the sinful nature in man). But it also gives expression to the life of Jesus in a man. And God is glorified.

It’s a decision; it only takes your yes, the willingness to agree with God. The power to obey and to fulfill the command will come from Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit.

At the heart of it all, it’s not that God wants his children to suffer. But something happens when we let go of ourselves and trust fully in God: we begin to live the life we could never give ourselves. Life in its purest and most fulfilling form.

The devil knows this secret far too well and schemes deception against man in this regard.

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son [Jesus] also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2,14-15 NLT)

The fear of death, in the figurative sense, is what keeps people in bondage. It's the "blackmailing" of Satan.

By dying and resurrecting, Jesus showed that death has no hold on Him. And that He sets free those who through fear of death are subject to bondage.

The fear of letting go of self is dismantled when we embrace the love of God for us. It is only with God that we can let go of ourselves because He will never let us down. Things may not look as expected according to our ways and thinking, but ultimately God is wiser than we are. He loves us more than we know love to be. He is faithful and true. He will never let his righteous see corruption (Psalm 16,10)

"This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2,11-13 NKJV)

“The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6,23 (NIV)