Are You Dead To Self?

In order to truly be dead to 'self', one must realize how they were already 'dead in sin' until Christ Jesus saved them from the wages of it.

Romans 6:8/11

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Death to self is easily the most difficult thing to overcome on this side of eternity. We have been so ingrained by the world, history and culture to 'follow your heart', that we often forget how evil and deceitful it can be (Jeremiah 17:9/10). We even have yet to understand that when Jesus commands we 'come with die' with Him, it requires a death to pride, arrogance, ego and all things at enmity with God (James 4:1/6).

• If we have truly 'died with Christ' and 'been risen with Him', this will show in our conduct alone or around others, our relationship with Him and our honesty in repentance and growth. If we 'pretend' to be a follower of Jesus, the 'fires' of His zeal and love will reveal it all at the judgement (1st Corinthians 3:11/15, Matthew 7:21/23, Revelation 3:19).

• Dying to self is a daily practice. We have to CHOOSE to flee from the 'old me' in order to walk in the NEWNESS OF LIFE found in Christ Jesus alone. If He has truly given you a new heart and a new mind, then it will show in your character and actions. If nothing has changed after you 'said the prayer', then you will find yourself hearing "I never knew you" because you chose to live a lie 'in the name of God' (Revelation 21:7/8, 22:14/15).