MY Life

I write this in complete desire to better understand how I am living in this present world and how I ought to be living in this present world. Many thoughts arise when something like this is put together and much more could be added. But it is with this that I take my first step into the scriptures concerning this matter to see the answers that lay ahead for me.
These are some of the vital questions that I have been pondering and chewing on lately.

What is our life?
Should we even have our own life?
Does the term "my life" put a mindset in the believer that could hinder the things of God?

"The Christian walk is a bunch of squirmy flesh getting nailed to a cross."
"The Lord doesn't want to hurt you, He only wants you dead." Keith Green
"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

How true these statements are. I have often felt bothered by the all so popular question Christians ask. "So what's the Lord been doing in YOUR life?" The little word "your" is what makes me have to wonder whether this question is worthy of an answer or not. Due to today’s way of giving the gospel, which is a message of a pleasurable life on earth, it seems that many Christians think they are still living their old life. It seems that Christ has become nothing more then a mere add on to the already overwhelming and chaotic life people try to live. As true as those quotes are, as mentioned above, let’s look at the scripture, which expounds on this far more then any man ever could. So what does Paul say about his life?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

As well as....

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24

If I am reading this correctly, it would seem that Paul isn't just giving his life to God, but is instead putting it to death so that he might live only through God. Is that not why we are considered born again? How many times have you read about the rich young ruler? Many times? There is something in that story that I don't hear many talk about. Now I am not saying that it is left quiet on purpose, but rather it isn't seen in such a light, as I am about to show. Let's read Mark's account of this story.

¶And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:17-22

What was this man's biggest problem? Was it that he broke the Ten Commandments? Well not really, he said he had observed them from his youth. Well then what was it? Jesus, having already brought the law into this subject, then turns it to this young man’s life. The man did ask, “What must I do…?”, did he not? So Christ looks at the man’s life. What is it that keeps this man’s flesh ticking? For this man it was his wealth that was his life, his lord and the only thing keeping him from the loving, merciful Savior, through whom is the only way to inherit life. Thus his wealth had to be given up in order that his life might be crucified, thus allowing him to live the life that is pleasing before God. That life is not our own, and our own life should not be lived! What are the three (and no their not easy) steps to follow Christ?

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

What did that old preacher say again?

"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

Is this not completely true? There are two different kinds of lifestyles. One is in heaven; the other will lead a man to hell. Take a look at what Paul had to say about this.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Phil. 3:20

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph. 4:22

The word “conversation” is an old term for the word “lifestyle.” This is a spiritual battle raging within us. It is as if one life is fighting against another. One is screaming to be released from a horrific cross, the other is rejoicing in the freedom from its sin and it’s fleshly lusts. Though we have this new life, many times we act like it isn’t even there. See sometimes we pull that squirming flesh off that bloody cross and let it run free, only to find ourselves chasing it back. For the flesh will never go back to the cross on it’s own, and it is hard to nail it back up.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Rom. 7:18

I love how Paul words this. See when it comes right down to it, it is impossible to find anything good in the flesh. Why is this? Because the flesh has no desire for anything that is good, it’s only purpose is to satisfy itself. Should we not then be cautious, for when the flesh makes sin pleasurable? For that is what the flesh does.
My purpose for this is to truly understand what is to be done with my life. If Paul says he crucified his, and Christ says to deny it and crucify it as well, there doesn’t really seem to be much more life left in it. What else does our Lord say on this matter?

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luke 12:22

Let’s jump ahead a few verses.

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:27-31

How plain Christ makes this. We are to take no thought for our life. None whatsoever. Rather we are to consider the lilies. Why? Because by considering the lilies, we in turn realize our own deprived ability to supply our needs so much so that we run to God knowing only He can fulfill them. It is not through our life or presence that we find the needs fulfilled, but it is in the resurrected life of Christ now dwelling in us that we find it. There really isn’t anything left for our life to give us, and nothing it could give us is worthy to be taken when God our Father could supply it a hundred fold more. So let us not be comforted by the voice of our flesh, nor shackled by the pleasures of this life, but rather let us be crucified that He might live, worriless that He might give and ready to live His life to the fullest!

So what have we seen scripture say about our lives? Well so far we are to,

1) Deny it
2) Crucify it
3) Take no thought for it

Why is it that our lives must be treated in such a matter? Well before our transformation into this new birth, we lived what Paul calls the “Old Man.” The old man is the life that is of the sin nature passed down from Adam. It is controlled by feelings and emotions, and above all it is controlled by sin, which is a manifestation of the flesh. All the things that make up the old man (flesh) are not of our Father’s kingdom but rather they are of this world.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16-17

This then is the reason that such drastic measures must be taken to destroy the flesh. It is for the purpose that God might set us apart. He longs to set us apart and take us under His wings. He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Holiness is a place in God’s hands, where one is set apart from all other things and made fit for the kingdom of God. This is why it is so important that the flesh be conquered and destroyed. For the soul purpose of the flesh is to battle the Spirit and rebel against the Creator. The Creators desire is to set you apart and make you fit for His kingdom, which is something we can’t do on our own. It is key that we remember that Christ was tempted in all ways and yet never sinned. He was tempted by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life just as we are. This then is the reason that it is in Christ’s life that we find life, because in our own we only find death through the outcome of our fall for sin. Christ conquered that which no man ever could think of overcoming by himself.

Once again lets look at what Paul states in Ephesians. This is when he is dealing with the old man and the new man. As we know, the old man is that which we call our flesh.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:22-24

So what kind of picture do we get here? Prior to our conversion into Christ, we lived a corrupt life. But the life that we now live, the new man, is a life that was created not by the corrupt hands of a faulty man, but by the death and resurrection of a man who conquered the unconquerable. Truly we must be crucified with Christ, as Paul was, so that we might be able to say, “nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ that liveth within me.” Without Christ we are literally good for nothing. Without Christ we are nothing but a helpless piece of clay, marred by sin, and trampled by men. It is only in the hands of the Potter that the clay finds life and is then molded into the work with which it was created to perform. Without the working of the Lord, we cannot do that which is pleasing in His sight.