Die to self (Suffering brings about death of the fleshly nature.)
Philippians 3:10-11
All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
In the flesh there is no hope. We die and become dust. Paul, in the body, saw the One who rose from the dead. It was Jesus who made it possible for Paul to be lifted from the dead morally and spiritually – even while in the body. His physical body would someday die, but his soul would live on eternally. His soul had been condemned to death, but now there was new life.
Paul’s desire was that he would continually be changed in the spirit into Christ’s likeness. Everyday he died to himself, so he could know Christ. This was the only way he could experience new life.
We have the same human nature that struggles with what what is right. In our mind we are committed to God’s law, but we still sin. Like Paul we must put to death our desires. Daily we must crucify the flesh and live to Christ. It is a daily decision to choose good. Sometimes we’ll successfully do what we’ve chosen, other times we’ll fail. But each failure can teach us to draw closer to God. And with each success another part of our sinful nature dies. The Spirit within us has triumphed once again!
1. What are some things I don’t want to do, but do any way?
2. What are the successes that I’ve had in choosing the good that I should do?
3. What is an example of suffering that resulted in my putting away my own desires and bringing about God’s desire?
4. How does suffering help me to put to death my own desires?
