Die (Dictionary): To pass from physical life; to pass out of existence; to disappear or subside gradually.
Die (Bible): To expire, perish, die; fall asleep; gain, advantage; suddenly.
We often have heard the expression that we need to “die to self” or “die daily”. What does this mean to a Christian who is really searching for God’s truth? The thing is this: We need to become radical for Jesus. Jesus death on the cross and His suffering was about as radical and basic as it gets! His love is so vast and His promises so great, we need to understand what He desires in us – dead to the world but alive in Him.
John 12:23-25: 23And Jesus answered them, The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted. 24I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest. 25Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.] (AMP)
Jesus is always our example. He “solemnly” tells us that He must die as a grain of wheat that falls to the ground so that many will live. He reveals a Kingdom principle: that death of “self” is the key to spiritual fruitfulness. So what about us?
2 Corinthians 5:14-15: 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (NLB)
This is an amazing Scripture! When Jesus died He died for everyone-past, present and future. But in this we see that all died. Jesus has given everyone a choice. We can choose to be born again and die to self and live or we remain dead spiritually and remain dead until we physically die. This means if we are born again, that we not only have died to ourselves, and to the Law, but are now set free to live our lives hidden within His life and partakers of His resurrection.
Galatians 2:19-21: 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God.20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. (NLT)
Paul is telling us that we live within the life of the Son of God as free people. And through His cross, we too have been crucified! So this means that we also share in His resurrection! It’s not about me at all- but it’s all about Him!
Colossians 3:1-7: 1IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. 5So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). 6It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), 7Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices]. (AMP)
So what do we see in God’s Word regarding dying to self? We see the old man ( or woman) removed and the new person in place. We see a Lord and Savior that took our place on the cross and has allowed us to be partakers of His death, resurrection and His life. We see a Savior that will freely give us all things and who will empower us to live in Him. It is only in dying that we live for the first time and are truly free.
1 Corinthians 15:31: 31[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self]. (AMP)
Our walk with Jesus should be very exciting on a daily basis. We have died with Him, been raised with Him and face a future of being glorified with Him. Why would we not want to hide our life in Him and be free from the pull of this world? Acts 17:28 “…for in Him we live and move and exist…” So each day we have a choice to die to self or live to self. Let us choose wisely and die to self and walk in His presence. If we choose Him we will have an eternal impact on those around us. Die to self? You bet!
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for your love and mercy. Help us to walk in Your life plan and not ours. May our “life song” be heard in this world and may it sing to your glory in all we say and do. Amen.