God’s means of delivering us from sin is not by making us stronger and stronger, but by making us weaker and weaker. That is surely rather a peculiar way of victory, you say, but it is the divine way. God sets us free from the dominion of sin, not by strengthening our old man but by crucifying him; not by helping him to do anything, but by removing him from the scene of action. ~ Watchman Nee
The Old Testament is sometimes discarded altogether by those who identify as Christians because of the display of violence. It’s easy to struggle with the violence portrayed in the Old Testament when comparing that to the person of Jesus. There seems to be a vast disconnect between the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament’s God unless you consider the reason for the cross and resurrection. Until you are reborn, it’s natural to hate God. Born a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), nothing hates God more than your twisted mind, a mind tarnished at birth, and under the care, custody, and control of the principalities and powers of this fallen world. Once saved, you start to discover who God truly is and what God is all about. A paradigm shift occurs when moving from a position from once hating God to hating the old self. You start to discover how broken and enslaved you were to the power of sin, and how much God loves you, given your victory over sin and death by the death and resurrection of God’s only Son.
From now on, when you read the Old Testament, consider your old self the subject of the narrative. Learn to understand that all sixty-six books of the bible lead us to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the most remarkable love story ever shared, and it becomes your story when you finally die to SELF and turn your life over to God! It’s time to plan the old self’s funeral and then rise and start living into your new birth. The old must die, so the new can live; only God makes that possible, let the funeral begin.
Scripture Reading
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- How is the old self dead?
- What does God replace the old self with, a new self?
- How do you make sense of the violence revealed in the Old Testament?
- What do you say to someone who says’s I can’t believe in God who is violent?
- What do we do with the stories of death and destruction of the innocent in scripture?
Prayer¹
~ Mother Teresa
When I was hungry, you gave me food to eat.
When I was thirsty, you gave me your cup to drink.
Whatsoever you do to the least of these of my children, that you do unto me.
Now enter the house of my Father.
When I was homeless, you opened your doors.
When I was naked, you gave me your coat.
When I was weary, you helped me find rest.
When I was anxious, you calmed my fears.
When I was little, you taught me to read.
When I was lonely, you gave me your love.
When I was in prison, you came to my cell.
When on a sickbed, you cared for my needs.
In a strange country, you made me at home.
Seeking employment, you found me a job.
Hurt in a battle; you bound up my wounds.
Searching for kindness, you held out your hand.
When I was a Negro or Chinese or White,
Mocked and insulted, you carried my cross.
When I was aged, you bothered to smile.
When I was restless, you listened and cared.
You saw me covered with spittle and blood,
You knew my features, though grimy with sweat.
When I was laughed at, you stood by my side.
When I was happy, you shared in my joy.
Thank You, God, for crucifying the old self, so I could be born again and made holy as You always intended for all of creation. Amen.
Carolyn Stephens says
Powerful!
Harold Long says
Amen Carolyn
Donna Bondurant says
Loved this exclamation “A paradigm shift occurs when moving from a position from once hating God to hating the old self.” It’s a better understanding of my transformation. I never understood why God seemed so ruthless in the old testament, this makes it so much clearer.
Harold Long says
Hi Donna,
Making sense of the Old Testament violence was a significant hangup for and is for most people. As I started to learn that God makes accommodations and meets us on our level, it helped me understand just how much God loved creation, especially humankind. An author that influenced much of my thinking and a mentor of mine is Greg Boyd. Greg wrote a book titled “Crucifixion of the Warrior God.” When you get time, please give it a read.
Shalom,
Pastor Harold