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And that means what elmer? Say it in English. If your self died then why do you feed yourself, give yourself a bath, go to the doctor when you are sick, educate yourself, have a friends and family, why do you listen to music, or go to sports events? Why drive a car and live in a house with modern technology?
If the self is so dead then why do all the above?
Quote:
Originally Posted by little elmer
Dying to self is the key to all of Christianity.
Tree of Life was to continue in spiritual communion with God.
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is what opened up our self awareness, and exposed us to the law and its bondage.
The nature of man is opposed to God. This nature is referred to in scripture as "the flesh". The flesh consists of the carnal mind (which is the enemy of God, reasoning in natural ways the course of this life) and the lusts of life. Basically, you're the master of your destiny and you have to look out for #1.
The spirit of man was suppressed at The Fall, when "our eyes were opened, and we became like God(s)" as the serpent claimed we would. Our senses became the master, and our spirits became subservient. This is the soul realm, which is all we know.
When we are born again, our spirits are joined with God's spirit - but we're left with the "old man", who's still indoctrinated with things the way they are. The spirit of a man is to be the master, but the soul still wants to rule. His spirit cries "Abba", but his nature rebels against the "beatitudes" - everything Christ personifies is contrary to what we are.
So the process begins. He showed us, then He called us to grab our tree and do it too...and you'd be surprised how God kills the flesh.
Anyway, what exactly kills the flesh? Our cooperation includes:
Quote:
When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the 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 advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger 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 annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did; That is dying to self.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown; That is dying to self.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances; That is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart; That is dying to self.
The nature of man is opposed to God. This nature is referred to in scripture as "the flesh". The flesh consists of the carnal mind (which is the enemy of God, reasoning in natural ways the course of this life) and the lusts of life. Basically, you're the master of your destiny and you have to look out for #1.
So why did God create all of us as enemies to him? Why did he give us minds, if we are supposed to deny them?
So why did God create all of us as enemies to him? Why did he give us minds, if we are supposed to deny them?
We are fallen so that He can save us... For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope (Rom 8:20)
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