Mere Missions

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obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10.5). It takes daily work, struggle, effort, to “not throw away your confidence” (Heb. 10.35). It takes death to one’s very self. B. Self-Death . Self-death can seem morbid, sick, gloomy, downright unrealistic and “too” spiritual. It’s for monks and radical lunatics. Yet, the Lord calls those to discipleship to make an unqualified decision so radical that it involves turning his or her back upon all other relationships (Luke 9.58-61; Matt. 10.34-39). All personal goals and ambitions must be brought to the Lord and put to death (Gal. 2.20). The decision to be made is one in which all self-rule is relinquished, sacrificed, slain, and is replaced with a desire only for the rule and reign of God to have its rightful place in one’s life (Luke 9.23). This makes perfect sense when seen through our status as priests. Peter the Apostle declared this high and holy status when he wrote, “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2.9). Priests were set apart and had responsibilities (Exod. 28.1; 1 Chron. 23.13). They had no inheritance except the Lord Himself (Deut. 10.9; 18.2). They belonged solely to the Lord. They were His and He was theirs. Self-death isn’t for monks and radical lunatics but for the priesthood of all believers. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into a soft, therapeutic Christianity. It is not about what you receive but about what you can give. In the kingdom economy, self-death is abundant life, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2.20). Jesus came to give life and an abundant life (John 10.10). It’s praying, “Your Kingdom come, and your will be done.” It’s declaring daily that you