Die to Self? Deny self?
Q: Some are claiming Christians don't need to "die to self." And are focusing on self.
A: Christianity is transforming, it is a call to deny self and die to self, to live for Christ. This is only possible if one is actually converted by God. We then naturally live in righteousness, and discipline ourself to defeat and conquer all sin, and have victory over it thru the sanctifying life. We no longer live for self as the old sinful person did trapped by the old nature, but are living in the new nature.
(Genesis 6:5) "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
(Romans 5:12) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
Romans 6:6
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me
Matthew 10:38
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Ephesians 4:22-24
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect
Luke 9:23-24
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
1 Peter 4:2
so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God
Titus 2:12
instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age
Romans 6:6-7
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.
Galatians 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
2 Cor 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease
Of course we need to "die to self".
We are not our own but were bought with a price. We are now stewards of our bodies, and so we must honor and serve the one who purchased us.
Colossians 3:5
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
1 Corinthians 6:20
for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body
Thru the new nature we love righteousness, and are a new creation living in righteousness, becoming more holy daily.
2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
Salvation is not about self and selfish sinful desires, thats the life and nature of the wicked living in the sin nature. Anyone who says you dont need to deny yourself, is speaking the things of Satan and is not birn again; does not have Christ nor the Holy Spirit indwelling them.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. [Which is done through reading and storing the Scriptures in your heart and mond, and by indwelling Holy Spirit]
Even though the heart of stone is exchanged for the heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:14-21), we are still living in our old body, the old man of sin (Romans 7:15-20). Even though we are now the new man of redemption, we are still tempted by our old ways (1 Corinthians 10:13). But God is faithful (1 John 1:9).
If Jesus isnt your Lord and Savior, He isnt on the throne of your life. If He's not, then people think they are, which means Satan is still on the throne of their life.
Dont let anyone fool you.
Jesus is either your Lord and Master or he is not. It is that simple.
And it is essential to a Christians life is to read, study and know the Bible. And we should be reading it daily, so God communicates with us and reminds us, and the Holy Spirit leads us, and to keep ilus from sin and living in righteousness while becomimg more and more like Christ daily.
Examine this further
Self examination
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