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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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Chapter 14 - Fire sale - All things must go
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, - Philippians 3:8 Dying to self requires the detachment from everything in this life. It is not a rejection or severing, but a change in perspective. Consider the rich young ruler who could not imagine the loss of his riches. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. - Luke 18:22-23 A rich person does not have to surrender everything he has, but he has to be willing to. God may lead a person with abundant resources to use them in his work. God may ask us to surrender what we consider most valuable. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. - Genesis 22:2 Abraham gives us an example of someone willing to sacrifice everything to the Lord. However, his faith was such that he expected that his son would be returned to him. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. - Genesis 22:5 Job is an interesting example. He had his wealth, family and even health taken from him. We might see in him a sterling example of having died to self. However , like dross in a refining process, a little pride finally comes to the surface. My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. - Job 29:20-21 It is only towards then end when Job has let go of everything, that one might consider he had died to self. THEN JOB said to the Lord, I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted. [You said to me] Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. - Job 42:1-3 AMP |
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