Dying to Self

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Jew who became a godly Lutheran pastor. Richard was imprisoned and severely tortured for his faith under communism (he later came to America and founded Voice of the Martyrs). In a sermon delivered to Americans after gaining his freedom, this speaker of 14 different languages made this astute observation:

“You have been brought up with the English language. We who have learned English being grown-up men, we wonder very much about how you write words. In English you write the word “you” with a small y. The word “he” with a small h. The word “she” with a very small s… But “I” – capital letter - “I” is something very, very important…

“Jesus tells us whosoever wishes to come after Me should cease to write “I” with a capital letter. Whosoever wishes to come after me should deny himself. His brother, his fellow man should come first. God should come first, and he somewhere in the rear. ‘Whosoever wishes to come after me should deny himself.’ Not be anymore; ‘not I live, but Christ lives in me.’”

Pastor Rick stressed Sunday the need of “being delivered from the power of the self.” Of dying to the capital “I.” We don’t need to be afraid that this is some kind of self-annihilation. We’re only following Christ’s steps to the cross, only dying to what is harmful and ugly and (could we truly see it) absolutely repulsive.

You may wonder, “But what happens to me if I die to self?” The apostle Paul explains: “You died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then will you also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4 NIV).

When self dies, we become alive in Christ. Our real life is out of this world. It can’t be reached by the fingers of evil or the ravages of time. It’s the safest it’s ever been, anchored in One Who will never change and never die. It’s a life we’ll only fully comprehend when Christ appears and we enter His glory. Forever.

A more-than-fair exchange for that capital “I.”