Rid of Yourself
A lesson from Socrates and a new life through Jesus.
A person asked Socrates why it was that Alcibiades, who was so rich, so brilliant, such a capable statesman and general, who had traveled so much, and seen so much of the world, was nevertheless such an unhappy man.
Socrates replied, “Because wherever he goes Alcibiades takes himself with him.” Socrates understood that the root problem of unhappiness, anger, frustration, and discontentment is in oneself.
Our gracious God understands that, too. And he takes action on your behalf to rescue you from unhappiness, anger, frustration, and discontentment caused by your own selfish sinfulness. Instead of allowing your sinful nature to chase you around all day and pester you to the point of pressuring you into the same old sins and weaknesses, God has dealt with your “sinful self.” Decisively.
He has not instructed your sinful self because it will not listen and isn’t interested. He hasn’t imprisoned and rehabilitated your sinful self because it cannot be captured or coerced. He has killed it. “Sin shall not be your master” (Romans 6:14).
He attached your sinful self to Jesus Christ like attaching a file to an e-mail message, wherever and to whomever the e-mail message goes, so goes the file. Therefore, since Jesus Christ went all the way into death’s dark dominion, your sinful self went there with him. “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death … crucified with him” (Romans 6:3,6). You died when Jesus died. And then. You rose to life when Jesus rose to life.
“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection … count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:5,11). You’re a new person, not through a makeover or by means of a fresh attitude. You’re a new person based on a historical event that took place when you died and rose with Jesus.
So leave yourself in the tomb. Your selfish, sinful self that causes frustration, anger, and guilt. Walk in the newness of life through Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, having died and risen with you I still struggle with temptation and desire. When I do struggle, use your full force to keep my old self sealed in the tomb of death, and influence me to be determined and dedicated in my choices and way of living. As you died and rose with me, now walk with me through each day and give me your resurrection strength. Amen.