Death of the Self-life

If we look at God’s judgment of mankind, we shall know more surely of this truth: that "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3.10). Is this true according to man’s view? No, for from the natural point of view the world is not lacking in righteous people! But God reckons that there is none, because our righteousnesses come from our own self which has been deeply influenced by Adam’s nature. How can sweet water come forth from the salty water? "For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10.3). Hence, a self-righteous person is not a righteous one; he is rather a sinner worthy to perish. Only he who has the fullness of Christ is righteous.

Let us look at another place in the word of God. It is a very familiar passage and one which deals with fruitfulness being the result of the death of the good of the self life: "Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die," declared the Lord Jesus, "it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit" (John 12.24). The Lord includes in this word those who believe in Him. He uses this word to call us to himself. "If any man serve me, let him follow me" (v.26). He does not leave us in the dark as to what this calling is: "He that loveth his life [soul] loseth it [no fruit, no grains in eternity]; and he that hateth his life [soul] in this world shall keep it [he shall not be without fruit] unto life eternal [spiritual life]" (v.25). We can easily discern that the teaching here is about the need of the death of the self life.

Life is most precious. One is willing to lose everything except his life. Yet the calling here is for us to lose our life. This life of self (or soul life) is given by God and is quite legitimate. It is not wrong, yet the Lord calls us to let it die.

What is this life? It is the natural life, the animated life that we share with the living things. Our intellect, will and affection are all controlled by it. For it is the driving force of our entire being. It directs the movements of all the members of our body. It utilizes all the faculties of the soul. Yet this motivating life comes from natural birth, and hence it is not spiritual life. If a believer allows this non-spiritual life to be the main driving force of all his earthly activities, he will lose his life and suffer eternal loss in terms of fruit.

This self life is nonetheless very pretty and attractive. Our Lord illustrates it with the grain of wheat. The outer shell is quite pleasant to look upon. Its color is golden. In spite of its beauty, though, it is useless if it remains as such. The grain of wheat must leave its companions or fall into the ground together with its companions, and die in the place of darkness, obscurity and suffering. In dying, it loses its beauty and all things else, so that it no longer can be exhibited and praised.