“I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:31
- 1 Corinthians 15:31
Over the course of this last week, we have talked about the differences between how a true believer and follower of Christ should act, and how those actions should look different than the average person walking aimlessly through life. This is not to say that those who are nonbelievers do not have goals they are seeking, but they are not pursuing the only thing that will matter when this world comes to an end: Jesus.
To follow Jesus and live in a way that is pleasing to Him, we must choose it die to self. And we must choose to do this daily. As humans, we are going to be faced with urges and temptations that are no different than nonbelievers. We were all born with sinful tendencies and the desire to satisfy our own desires. But if we want to live life differently, a life that is honoring to God, we must resist these temptations and desires.
To resist them, we must make the decision to die to ourselves. What does that mean? To die to our self? It means that when you wake up in the mornings, you pray to God. And when you pray to Him, you forfeit your own sinful desires in favor of the will of God. You are saying that not yours but God’s will be done. This is a significant shift from the natural way of living — one that pursues its own desires, and chases whatever urges come as the day goes.
It is not easy to follow God’s plan and purpose. You will have to give up things that your human nature will urge you to pursue. But following God’s will is definitely worth it. He will reward you for your obedience. Deuteronomy 28:1 says, “Indeed, if you diligently obey the Lord your God to carry out all his commands that I’m giving you today, then the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
God will most definitely reward you for it. But first, you must die to yourself daily.
To follow Jesus and live in a way that is pleasing to Him, we must choose it die to self. And we must choose to do this daily. As humans, we are going to be faced with urges and temptations that are no different than nonbelievers. We were all born with sinful tendencies and the desire to satisfy our own desires. But if we want to live life differently, a life that is honoring to God, we must resist these temptations and desires.
To resist them, we must make the decision to die to ourselves. What does that mean? To die to our self? It means that when you wake up in the mornings, you pray to God. And when you pray to Him, you forfeit your own sinful desires in favor of the will of God. You are saying that not yours but God’s will be done. This is a significant shift from the natural way of living — one that pursues its own desires, and chases whatever urges come as the day goes.
It is not easy to follow God’s plan and purpose. You will have to give up things that your human nature will urge you to pursue. But following God’s will is definitely worth it. He will reward you for your obedience. Deuteronomy 28:1 says, “Indeed, if you diligently obey the Lord your God to carry out all his commands that I’m giving you today, then the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
God will most definitely reward you for it. But first, you must die to yourself daily.
1 Comment
Pastor Ed, this message has more meaning now after I was in service today 9 Jan 2022. I didn't understand fasting before, but what I walked away with is you have to give something to get something. By letting go of things that are temporary moments of flesh fulfillment for moments for lasting gifts from God made me more hungry for God. So I won't trade in for Mr. Pibb. Thank you!