Dying To Self, Living in Christ

The power of resurrection can flow through us when we choose to crucify our weak human nature. When we die to ourselves, we will live in Christ.

1. You have been crucified with Christ
It was not Jesus’ sins and infirmities that that nailed Jesus on the Cross for He was a man without sin. The stripes and nailing that Jesus had to endure was a representation of OUR sins and infirmities that He chose to bear upon Him so that we may be redeemed. Yet, how often do we take the Cross for granted? The important questions we want to ask ourselves are: “Are we crucified with Christ? Are we dead? Have we died? Did we die by Crucifixion?” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24, 25). ” It is important that we learn to die to ourselves; die to our personal desires; die to our rights; die to our own understanding; die to our own gains and benefits; die to our pride; die to our likings and dislikes; die to our discomfort; etc., etc., etc.

As we acknowledged that Jesus died for us that we may be redeemed, we acknowledged too that our lives no longer belong to ourselves but to Him, which He bought with the price of His blood. We need to relinquish our rights over our lives, emotions, relationships to Jesus.

2. You no longer live but Christ lives in you
As we learn to let go and die to ourselves, Jesus is magnified in us. The resurrection gives the promise of hope and victory. The power of the resurrection cannot take place if we continue to cling on to ourselves and our rights. The revelation of the cross is both about the death of Christ and His Resurrection!!! We need to not only die to ourselves, but we need also to RESURRECT in a new life where the life I now live, I live in Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Romans 6:8) We need to experience the “Living in Christ” part and see victory in out daily Christian Living. When we begin to live totally for the purpose of God, Jesus will deliver us from our human concerns and change our concerns to divine opportunities to experience God’s provision. When we live only to glorify Christ, the Holy Spirit will reveal His wisdom and His will to us so that we can fulfill the destiny that God has intended for us.

Conclusion:
To experience victory in our lives, it is a daily choice of remembering what Jesus has done on the Cross and dying to ourselves. We need to stand firm so that the yoke of slavery may not burden us again.

Source of the above message: Message 14
(Taken from the book by Cesar Castellanos D, 52 Teachings for the G12 Meetings)
Teaching 14: The Revelation of The Cross
The words below are extracts from Pastor Cesar’s book itself…

Introduction
From the moment Adam sinned, God established the day He was going to send His Son as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. For this reason, Jesus who was God in the flesh came to Earth and did not rest until His mission was fully completed. (John 18:37)… From the moment that Jesus was captured to the last breath that He took, it represented the journey of redemption for us.

1. The Crown of Thorns
When the crown of thorns was put on Jesus’ head, He gave us freedom from ruin.

2. The Whip
When Jesus was whipped 39 times on his back, He gave us physical healing over all diseases, infirmities and pain. (Isaiah 53:56)

3. The 3 Nails
When Jesus was nailed to the Cross, He gave us freedom over
A) Guilt
B) Accusations and arguments
C) Oppression

4. The Spear
When Jesus was speared in His side, He gave us inner healing.

The Cross that symbolizes curse became a greater symbol of blessing when Jesus took on the Cross. All the evil we were known for was placed on Jesus on that tree. All the good in Jesus was transferred to us through Him.

Have a great week!
Pastor William