Cottonwood Chronicle

Whatsoever Things Are True
by Dan Coburn
Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church
pastordan@mtida.net Selfish is “In” The first thing the Holy Spirit will reveal to a Christian is Not the Prize of Heaven, or his potential, or his inheritance, or his gifting, but is rather, his Identity. His true identity as revealed (contrasted) by the Word of God. It is the original Self examination, and it is not pleasant. It is what the Bible refers to as “flesh” or “carnal”, or even just “self”. It is a person prior to a relationship with God, or operating outside that relationship. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Gal. 19-21. That’s what it is, This is what we are absent a saving, repentant, relationship with God through faith alone, in Jesus alone. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” - Eph. 2:1. We say this stuff, preach this stuff, and talk over dinner about it, (this dead to self stuff) but what does it really mean? Is it an analogy? Metaphoric? Or literal? What did Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3? “You must be born again”. Does this imply a death?
For anyone (you) to get past a knowledge of Jesus, and into a relationship with Him, you first have to see yourself as the Holy God does, and it’s not a pretty picture. When I was a kid, pictures were still black and white. For very special occasions, one would go to a professional photographer who took a whole series of prints, or proofs from which you would select one or some, to be the actual pictures which were later colored to taste. One particular lady had her image so recorded, and waited anxiously for the photographer to display the proofs. When she saw them, she said she wasn’t satisfied with any of them and had him take several more. After some time, he showed her the second set with which she still was unsatisfied. This happened a third time and the frustrated photographer asked: “What is the matter with these”? The lady replied: “They just don’t do me justice”. The photographer tactfully replied: “You don’t need justice, you need mercy”. Spiritual Switch: In John 12:24, Jesus (speaking of Himself) told the disciples: “Except a corn (grain) of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Likewise of us: “For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2nd Cor. 4:11. Nugget: All Resurrection Life springs from death. Have you died to self? Caution; You can’t do it in and of yourself. You must let Him do it in and through you. Pray about and pursue this. God Bless.

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