Lost Doctrines Christ Life for Self Life — E.A. Johnston

The Christ Life Versus Self-Improvement

In a society that spends millions of dollars to advertise self-empowerment products and services It's not surprising to see this philosophy spill over into our churches. That's why books on self-improvement Become Christian bestsellers, but is this a good thing?

Christ's Self-Emptying in Philippians 2

Does this philosophy go against the biblical truths of being a Christian? We are in our study today friends of lost lost doctrines of the church and today We'll cover the lost doctrine of the Christ life for the self life in Philippians chapter 2.

Beginning in verse 6 we read. Who? Being in the form of God. Thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in Fashion.

As a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross. This striking passage of scripture is often used as the reference for Christ emptying himself. J. Sidlow Baxter used to say how can a man full of himself? preach the Christ who emptied himself.

Crucified with Christ in Galatians 2

When one goes through the Word of God One soon discovers that the Christian life is a life of death to self with Christ living within. It's the Christ life for the self life. The Apostle Paul Knew full well what the Christ life was when he wrote Galatians 2 20 which states.

I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me in the life Which I now live in the flesh. I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

Self-Dethronement and the Exchanged Life

We see this grand theme throughout scripture of the self emptying process. The Christian life is not about self-improvement self-empowerment. That's a man-centered gospel a man-centered message. The Christian life is a God centered gospel and a Christ centered message.

It's about the exchanged life where self goes the way of the cross and Christ lives within. Listen friend. Self must be dethroned in another enthroned there the Lord Jesus Christ. I highly recommend a book to you written by FB Meyer.

Entitled the Christ life for the self life. In this little jewel of a book FB Meyer writes. The curse of the Christian is that self is our pivot. It is because Satan made self his pivot that he became a devil.

The philosophy of the Bible is to do away with self and to make Christ all in all. Well, that's so true friends. The modern church today needs power. Because she lost her authority With society by conforming to the world.

We need to recapture the Doctrine of the Christ life for the self life if we truly want power and influence for God. Self-emptying is a painful process a few wish to engage. We see this principle in the life of Moses.

Moses, Humiliation, and Preparation for Service

Listen to this comment by FJ Eagle. For 40 years on the lonely slopes of Midian the fiery Moses is schooled. There were graves if I may so speak. Scattered all over the mountainside. Where hope after hope was buried until at last self went down and utter annihilation.

Well, I like that quote friends. Because it demonstrates God's activity in the life of a servant. Preparing him for the great work that lays before him. Oftentimes God will place a servant of his in a great adversity or time of testing.

To prepare that person for a deeper influence for God as a means of blessing to others. I believe the Puritan Thomas Watson was right when he made this following observation. Some are designed and cut out for higher service to be eminently instrumental for God and these must have a mightier work of humiliation pass upon them those whom God Intends to be pillars in his church must be more hoon.

Paul's Repentance and Greater Fruitfulness

Paul the Prince of the Apostles. Who was to be God's? Ensign bearer to carry his name before the Gentiles and Kings was to have his heart more deeply lanced by repentance. Listen friend if you're going through a trial God may be using that to make you more fruitful for him.

His ways are not our ways his ways are higher than our ways. But usefulness is found in the Christ life for the self life. Remember this. God builds his servants through his divine process of reducing and decreasing.

Refinement, Pruning, and Greater Usefulness

Gold must be reduced to its purity in the furnace of affliction. A Branch must be pruned back and decreased before it can bear more fruit. If we desire greater usefulness to God then we must submit to both the refiners fire and the divine pruning knife.

We must be made willing to be reduced to nothing so Jesus can be everything in us. Well, I hope this little message has been helpful to you friends. I I will say this when the silversmith has the silver in the fire.

The Silversmith's Watchful Care

He never wants takes his eyes off the silver.