[Friday's Devotional] - The death of Self

One thing I have come to appreciate in writing this week, is that "it's not all about me".  When we are tired or depressed or grumpy or run down we tend to focus in on ourselves.  What is wrong with me, God? Why can't I be better?  Actually, it isn't enough that Christ died for me (and you), I also need to make sure that my own "Self" is crucified – or I will never be born again. There isn't room for both the old man (Adam) and the new man (Jesus) in my life.

Many a struggle results from giving control of our lives to the wrong person.  Who is in the driving seat of your life?:

-       Is it you driving?

-       Is it your partner, parent or child?

-       Is it someone else who is commanding your spirit?

-       Or is it Jesus?

Here is a saying that I think describes something fundamental we (I anyway) have overlooked:

"Among the plastic saints of our times Jesus has to do all the dying and all we want is to hear another sermon about His dying.  We want to be saved but we insist that Christ do all the dying.  No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying.  We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility."  AW Tozer

Do you need to pick up your cross today?  Or will you just look at Jesus carrying his cross from afar?

The seed which is going to become a plant has to first die (as a seed) – it isn't possible for the seed to remain a seed and also become a plant.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20 [NIV]

Lord, help me to pick up my cross and follow you – thank you for dying for me and help me to crucify my "self" in order for you to rule in my life.  Amen.

Dave MacLellan