Bible Study As Ambassadors of the Ministry of Reconciliation

[newnature]

We see that we need to die to self, although our salvation is not dependent upon how well we accomplish this. Yet, as ambassadors of the ministry of reconciliation, our witness is dependent upon how well we accomplish this. Dying to self, is never portrayed as something optional, it is the reality of being born anew; unless we are willing to see our old lives crucified with Christ and begin to live anew in obedience to him. Dying to self is something you can take very literal; you will die in every way possible in order to be someone you are not.

This does not mean that when we “die to self†we become inactive or insensible, nor do we feel ourselves to be dead. The entire concept seems a bit strange to our natural eyes. Rather, dying to self means that the things of the old life are put to death, most especially the sinful ways and lifestyles we once engaged in. Dying to self is not fun or easy, but what is particularly difficult about fighting this tendency is that it is not exactly a behavior or action. It can certainly manifest itself in those forms, but underneath them is an attitude.

Dying to self is a real change of mind and attitude towards sin itself and the cause of it. Dying to self is a change in our principle action from what is by nature the exact opposite. Seeing that our old lives are being crucified with Christ is an experience of every one who is the subject of the grace of God. Dying to self is not the experience of one man in two successive stages, but the co-existence of the two experiences in the one man at the same time. Which experience will we feed the most, the old nature or the new nature?

 

[Eugene]

Hi newnature, you speak of the old and new man, the flesh and the Spirit; our former corrupt manner of life, or our new life of righteousness and holiness.

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation (Taking into account everything Paul said in Romans chapter Seven) to them which are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (Not by us), who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

[Mitspa]

I agree very much with the last two post. I would like to add that the whole understanding of being a "new man" is based upon the new birth and the witness of Gods love for us, by the Holy Spirit. "KNOW YE NOT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS WITHIN YOU" becomes the foundation upon which the New man is formed.
Some of the terms Paul uses such as "reckon" yourself dead to sin and alive to God, means this very thing. It takes faith to trust that the Holy Spirit will bring forth the fruits of righteousness. It is most helpful to have honest brothers and sisters in the Lord, for sometimes when we can not see this mystery of God working in us, we need to hear from those who have walked the steps of faith before us.
Sin is defeated for the believer, but until one believes that sin is defeated, one will struggle as in Rom 7. If one can only believe that sin in the flesh is overcome only when we are perfect? They cannot learn to walk in the spirit. For it takes faith first, then the evidence and fruit will be seen. The scriptures do not say, stop doing thus and thus and you will be in the spirit, it says walk in the spirit and then you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Its all by faith.