Francis Schaeffer once said, “We are surrounded by a world that says “no” to nothing” (True Spirituality, p. 216). In fact, it is countercultural to say “no” to anything, which is well illustrated in Eden when Adam and Eve wanted to put themselves at the center. But, after becoming a Christian, we are now enabled to say “no” to things. How is this possible? It is because the Christian has experienced a death.
The scriptures tell us that we have died with Christ and that this death is central to the Christian life. This can be summed up in four passages:
Romans 6:4a – “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death”
Romans 6:6a – “We know that our old self was crucified with him”
Galatians 2:20a – “I have been crucified with Christ.”
Galatians 6:14 – “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
In dying with Christ, we have the opportunity to say “no” to 2 things: First, the dominance of things and second, the dominance of self. Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself” (Luke 9:23).
The death of Christ is central to the message of the Good News as well as the central issue in true spirituality. He was rejected, slain, raised. This is true for us too and our true spirituality – we are rejected, slain, raised. Schaeffer said, “As Christ’s rejection and death are the first steps in the order of redemption, so our rejection and death to things and self are the first steps in order of true and growing spirituality” (True Spirituality, p. 222). This is a daily process, not just a once in a lifetime event – we must take up our cross daily!
Deus Tecum 