John 3:3 (LSB) 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We are given new life when we are born again. We were (spiritually) dead, but by the blood of Christ we are made alive (quickened).
We do not begin to fully live, however, until we crucify our flesh and die to self.
Here’s why.
New life in Christ is a gift; a new start and a promise of redemption, that we may overcome death and spend eternity in God’s presence.
This is where it all begins. It’s the first step. But it is not meant to end there.
Jesus taught this; repent of our sins and become a new creation in Christ.
But He also went on to teach of something just as important; dying to our self.
It is only when we learn this and embrace it that we truly begin to walk in the way that God desires.
And it is only then that we begin to understand what it means to be a follower of Christ.
You see, our lives are not our own.
We were bought at a price.
1 Corinthians 6:20 (LSB) 20 For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
But it goes well beyond acknowledging the price that Christ paid. It is a spiritual transformation that takes place within us that causes us to desire to die to self and deny our flesh.
No amount of human willpower can accomplish this.
But when we finally get this understanding, it is incredibly life-altering.
No longer will we spend our days centered on self.
Our own desires and wants will fade into the past. And our new desires and purpose will begin to align with the Holy Spirit’s leading as we give deference to the will of God for our lives.
Welcome to a life of denying oneself and living to please God.
Luke 9:23 (LSB) 23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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