Dying to Self

“As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the Churches and an honour to Christ.” 2 Cor. 8:23

The Greek word used here for the word ‘honour’ is ‘doxa’, which means ‘glory’. Isn’t it amazing that Titus was called the ‘glory’ of Christ’? Every Christian should be called the glory of Christ. When Christ touches our lives, we share the joy that He gives us. Honouring God requires a Christian to be wise and not foolish. How can a foolish servant bring delight to his master? Or, how can a foolish son bring delight to his parents? In the same way, how can a foolish Christian bring delight to his God and be a witness to the unbeliever?

As we all know that there are non Christians who walk in the character and fruit of Christianity and living righteous lives If we say we are Christians but lack wisdom in our dealings, we act in contempt to the word of God. We cause shame to Christianity. Proverbs 14:35 says, “A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.” Every servant or employee of an organisation is penalised for the repeated mistakes. In order for us to honour God, we must first seek to do the things that will please God so that He would delight in us.

Proverbs 11:20 says, “The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.” Many, who claim to be Christians, have a notion that if they commit small instances of unrighteousness, it is alright and that God will forgive them. They persist in those acts of unrighteousness and make it a habit. A habitual sin turns into a deadly element that stains the soul and throws the person outside the gates of sanctification. “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left” Hebrews 10:26.

What is the message that Christ has give us? As J. Sidlow Baxter said: Fundamentally, our Lord’s message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, “I am the bread.” He did not come merely to shed light; He said, “I am the light.” He did not come merely to show the door; He said, “I am the door.” He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, “I am the shepherd.” He did not come merely to point the way; He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

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