Death Of The Old Self

[rizen1]

Neil Anderson

March 18


DEATH OF THE OLD SELF
Colossians 3:3
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God


A pastor visited me a few years ago, and he was in real turmoil. "I've been struggling to live a victorious Christian life for 20 years. I know what my problem is. Colossians 3:3 says: "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I've been struggling all these years because I haven't died like this verse says. How do I die, Neil?"

"Dying is not your problem," I said. "Read the verse again, just a little slower."

"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I know, Neil. That's my problem. I haven't died."

"Read it once again," I pressed, "just a little bit slower."

"For you have died--" and suddenly a light switched on in his understanding. "Hey, that's past tense, isn't it?"

"Absolutely. Your problem isn't dying; you're already dead. You died at salvation. No wonder you've been struggling as a Christian. You've been trying to do something that's already been done, and that's impossible. The death Paul talks about in Colossians 3:3 isn't something God expects you to do; it's something He expects you to know, accept and believe. You can't do anything to become what you already are."

Thanks to the incredible redemptive work of Christ in your life, your old self has been replaced by a new self, governed by a new nature, which was not there before (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your old self was destroyed in the death of Christ and your new self sprang to life in the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). The new life which characterizes your new self is nothing less than the life of Jesus Christ implanted in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4).

Prayer:

Lord, I'm so grateful that I don't have to work for new life. You have already paid the price, done the job, and handed me the prize.

 

[Property Of God]

Wow, great post sister!
I always wonder what would it have been like if Jesus never died for us in the first place, never paid the price.
We'd be living in the O.T now, and with all the temptations of these days, we'd have never done it to year 2008!

Thanks for the great post.
God bless you rizen1.

 

[Roe]

Prayer: Father im so thankful to have fellow brothers and sister in this journey for u are the most high and in your son you have givin Neil,Myself and Others to Face death with u and find happines through u im so thankful that Neil has opened my eyes to realize that you have truly givin us a room store up in heaven but also life through are death in you Holy Father May you open our hearts everyday to accept The Way The truth and the Life for you said when there is 2 or 3 u are there also what wonderful feelin to be in Jesus!!! thanks for that Neil u encouraged my Spirit for opeing that verse in my heart u r truly a believer or Christ i love every christian like i love myself for 1 John ch.3 verse 12-14 says "12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." Peace and Love...Sister

 

[By His Grace]

Thank you for the thread. Thats where grace comes in, Jesus has already done the work so we ought not to work it again coz it will loose the whole meaning and that is Grace. And what is Grace, unmerited favour from God, something that we dint deserve but God chose to give it to us.

I always acknowledge His Grace upon my life ,for am what i am By His Grace, thus my title/name.:angel-animated: