The Old Man (our old self) Crucified

BIBLE STUDY #792- CHURCH IN THE HOUSES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 – 25, 2013

Topic: “The Old Man (our old self) Crucified” 1 Corinthians 9:27 Romans 6:12 says: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires…” This verse clearly shows the evilness of sin when it reigns in the body. The sin in man is nothing else than a defiance to the authority; it is defiance towards all the authority that can be above him, like parents, the pastor, other relatives, etc. Those who sin begin a war against all those who are reproved and want to help him delivering him from wickedness. As a pastor I ask myself concerning such persons: “What have I done to them?” The only thing I have done is to love them, protect, care for, pamper them, but it seems to them that I am ferocious, that I am against them. Nevertheless, the real fiend is that sin which is locked up in his flesh. Romans 6:6 also says: “…For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” The old self was crucified with Christ! Why was it like this? To not serve that old self we used to be. Remember, there is an old creature in you that separate you from the Father: an old creature susceptible to sin which was nailed in the cross together with Jesus when you believed. After having believed some neglect themselves and seek to leave. Then, since they want to sin, they would like to no longer be crucified with Christ, they would like to leave the cross aside to return to their old ways of sin. But, the convincing truth to which we should be attached to is that it was in the cross where the old self was annulled and reduced to impotence. It happened this way so that we no longer serve sin. The tyranny of sin upon us remained broken through Christ in the cross. We can no longer be the impotent men and women captivated by sin. You cannot lack strength to struggle against sin. You have to carry out your life in God with power and strength because where it can be found is in the cross with the great God giving Himself for you! You cannot be an incapacitated person to fight against sin, that sin that can ruin everything pure in your life. It was at the Calvary where the kingdom of sin concluded over men through the expiatory death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, our cooperation is needed. Only God can make us saint, but He will not do it unless we get involved from the heart. The heart is deceiving and likes to deceive others, therefore, let us approach God with a sincere heart. Hebrews 10:22 “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Paul knew men very well. That is why he disciplined his body. Not only did he discipline it but rather he used his body in servitude. 1 Corinthians 9:27 “…No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” To remain firm Paul subjected his body to a condition and work that is proper of a servant. It is the same as slavery, but for the Lord. Knowing the human nature and the character of men, because of this Paul submitted his body to servitude for his Lord. Paul was worried about being rejected by God if he failed and therefore disqualified. For such reason he struggled putting his body in servitude. In our lives there is a great need to have self-control, to have temperance, to be disciplined. We should practice our own dominion. Paul, our great apostle, he realized the terrible possibility of remaining disqualified after proclaiming the gospel to others. That’s why he shows us how much we have to struggle in this long battle. It is not just days or hours but rather long years that we have to be careful in our lives to not be distracted by our hearts to later be eliminated. We should subject our own natural selfishness in order to consecrate ourselves entirely to Christ’s great work. Our problem is “my body”, our old self. It is what’s left of the worldly desires. One can do one of two things with his body: to take it to be A GOOD SERVANT for God or allow it to be A BAD MASTER for ourselves. Paul put his body in servitude; it was as if it was taken into captivity. He did it so that for preaching to others he would not be eliminated. Paul keeps thinking and describing his battle as if he was in a sporting camp. The announcers were the ones who called the racers to the track and placed the garland on the head of the winners, letting their names be known. Paul clearly lets us see that the Word announces the rules of combat or struggle. For him all this pertains to his commitment and duty of the preaching of the gospel. All Christian preachers also participate in the same struggle. “I myself come to be eliminated.” If we neglect ourselves we would lose with much sorrow what we have been given; it would bring us great shame. It would be very sad if after calling others to the battle, later because of negligence, we would come to be rejected by God, the judge of the Christian race. Paul teaches that such abnegated and constant vigilance is necessary. He did it together with all his duties carried out in favor of others. In this way he made more assuring his own vocation. How much more was this personal vigilance necessary for the Corinthian brothers, who contrary to Paul abused to the extreme the Christian liberty! The same happens nowadays, the people are the same always. Paul thought and taught everyone about the great necessity of self-control. Let us take care of ourselves just as he did. Amen.