I want to Die…

I admit that the title of this piece was a shameless attempt to grab your attention but never fear, I am not writing about being suicidal. I want to talk about our need as Followers of Christ to consciously and diligently die to our will so that we can produce spiritual fruit for Christ. Perhaps when you initially made the decision to follow Christ, you did not realize what it truly means to declare Jesus Christ as your Lord. If He is truly your Lord, then you are submitted to His Word, His will. This by definition means that your will must die.

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:20-26 NKJV

There is so much insight into what our mindset should be as Christians, contained in this short passage of Scripture. I believe most of us desire to be fruitful for God, to be used by Him. The biggest obstacle to our being fruitful is usually our ego. One of the amazing things about farming is that one grain or seed can produce so much fruit. However, the only way that fruit can be produced is for the seed to first be buried and for it to die.

Likewise the only way for us to be fruitful for God, is for us to die. Our ego must die. Our desire for accolades must die. Perhaps most importantly, our will must die. Jesus tells us that we are to follow Him but the context makes clear that the prerequisite to following Him is death. There are probably many applications to this principle but I want to focus on what I believe was His main point; the death of our will and the pursuit of His will.

As I’ve already stated, usually our biggest obstacle to pursuing God’s will and dying to our own, is our ego. Our desire to be recognized and our desire to do things our way are in direct conflict with Scripture’s principles. When we desire to be praised it is no less than trying to take God’s glory because we can do nothing worthwhile without His enablement. Therefore He is the one worthy of praise for our accomplishments, not us. Our desire to do things our own way is nothing less than idolatry, because we are elevating our will to equality with God’s will.

We are two days from the year 2011. I don’t know what God has promised you for 2011. I do know that I am a part of an incredible Church (Dallas First Church) that God has made some great promises to for this coming year. I have also received some personal promises as well. There is one major obstacle to God fulfilling His promises to myself and to DFC; EGO. The things God will accomplish at DFC in 2011 are going to be known by others. God does not share His glory with ANYONE! Therefore those of us who desire to be used of God must do all we can to shun glory and point all praise and glory to the One Who is worthy. Indeed, there is nothing we will individually or collectively accomplish in 2011 because we are so great. Anything accomplished will be because of God’s anointing and enablement.

The year of 2010 has been a year of the “Potter’s Wheel” for me. It has been a year of God teaching me to die to my own will and plans and a time of learning to trust Him completely. Perhaps your 2010 was the same or hopefully this is something you have already learned. The great news is that if we will die to our own will and plans then we can live in His will and fulfill His plans. This is the true secret to greatness in the Kingdom of God. To become so completely dead to our own desires and ego, that God will trust us and share His will and plans with us. So that He will trust us enough to USE us for His glory.

The New Year is upon us. Only God knows what struggles, accomplishments, and joy awaits us in 2011. As Christians we do know at least this one thing however; that He will be with us every step of the way. I hope that 2010 has accomplished my death as it relates to my own will and ways. I pray that 2011 will see the resurrection of His will and ways in my life and ministry. I don’t pretend to know a whole lot. I do know at least this much; if you will truly pick up your cross, die daily and follow Him completely, you will experience the greatest year of your life in 2011. My New Years resolution? I want to die.