This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Focusing on Dying To Self”. Here is a passage the Father led me to this morning:
The Apostle Paul said, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died. He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him. From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now. When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” (2 Cor 5:14-17 ERV).
There is a lot to get through in this passage. I will take my time. For this morning we will focus in on the words, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Jesus died for you, so you could live for Him.
a. Paul said, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone.” When you fully embrace the sacrifice Jesus made to save you from sin, hell and the grave, you can’t help but want to live for Him.
b. The love of God should overtake your heart and mind when you think about Jesus taking your place on the cross.
2. Jesus did not just die His death, He died your death as well.
a. Paul said, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died.” You are included in that “all”. If you are IN CHRIST, then you have died to your old man. Everything has become new. It’s just that you don’t know how to live like who you really are. As your mind is renewed you learn how to live in your new reality.
b. In Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae he said it this way, “You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.” (Col 3:1-4).
c. Jesus died your death on the cross. He died in your place. When you were Born-Again you were supposed to embrace both your death and the new life Jesus died to give you.
d. Your old man died the day you gave your life to Christ. You are now called and commanded to live in the newness of the life Christ died to give you.
3. Live with a focus on your new reality.
a. You are born from above. Jesus died your death on the cross. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Make a quality decision to live like the person God recreated you to be.
b. Peter said, “Strengthen yourselves so that you will live your lives here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things that people want to do. In the past you wasted too much time doing what those who don’t know God like to do. You were living immoral lives, doing the evil things you wanted to do.” (1 Peter 4:2,3). There should be a change of focus after you are Born-Again. If nothing changed, then maybe nothing “changed”. If you don’t have any desire for the things of God, if you don’t have any desire to live the new life Jesus died to give you, if you don’t have any inkling of change in your heart, then you should question your salvation. If you truly gave your life to Jesus, then your post-salvation life should be evidence of your conversion.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by dying to self. I died to my old man the day I gave my life to Christ. I now die to my old ways on a daily basis. My Spirit WAS changed, instantly, the moment I made Jesus my Lord. My soul IS BEING changed, progressively, as I renew my mind to live in my new reality. And my body WILL BE changed, eventually, when one day I put on a new and eternal body. So since my spirit has been changed and my body will be changed, my singular focus in life is changing my soul. My soul is comprised of my mind, emotions and will. I change the way I think, feel and make decisions to line up with You and the new reality I was Born-Again into. Jesus did not just die His death. Jesus died my death. I am dead in Christ. I am alive for Him. The life I now live, I live focused on walking out all You planned for me from the foundations of the world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
