The
Spirit of the Word
"The words that
I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." Jesus
"The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." Paul
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by Ray and Doris
Prinzing
No. 16
LOSING OUR
SELF-LIFE, AND FINDING HIS LIFE
Matthew
10:39, "He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for My
sake shall find it."
The Greek word used here for "life" is "psuche." The corresponding Hebrew word
is "nephesh," and means: a breathing one. It bespeaks of the soulish realm, the
self-life, embracing the mind and personality, the feelings and desires,
affections and aversions, which you, as a breathing one, identify as being you.
The emphasis of the world these days is upon "finding one's self, and nurturing
that "self" until it blooms with distinction, to make a name for one's self, a
reputation, and a favorable identity.
In the natural one needs to move with confidence, feeling good about their self,
with a sense of self-worth. A very low sense of self-esteem, self-respect, etc.
produces certain attitudes and actions which are detrimental. Negativism
destroys! Our youth must be taught that their own bodies are too precious to be
destroyed and ruined by smoking, drinking, sex, junk foods, etc. as the list
goes on and on. It is because they place so little value upon themselves, that
they waste their substance. They need to know that "GOD DOES NOT MAKE JUNK." As
Jesus once said, "You are of more value than many sparrows." (Matt. 10:31).
Think about it! God has a treasure in these earthen vessels, and we need to
glorify God in our body, in our mind, and in our spirit.
Having set forth these vital FACTS/TRUTHS, which pertain to our living in this
world, we would also point out a real need for a balance, even in the natural,
lest pride arise, a super-ego is developed, and we become pompous, arrogant,
egotistic. And so Paul admonished, "Not to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man
the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3).
And it is also vital that we remember there is a vast difference in natural
things and spiritual things. Well did God speak through the prophet, "For My
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your
ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9).
There are those who give much emphasis upon self-realization with a
"do-it-yourself" improvement course. You must convince yourself that you have
the power, the greatness, etc. They will use many of the Scriptures which speak
of "Christ in you," and how "In Him we live, and move and have our being," etc.
as they twist the Word of God to their own SELF-USE.
We find that this MAN-EXALTING teaching is quite at variance with the deep in
workings of His cross, until we come to the place where we realize that, "I can
of mine own self do nothing." (John 5:30). And it is only "By the grace of God I
am what I am." (1 Cor. 15:10). For it is "NOT I, but Christ lives in me."
(Gal. 2:20).
It is not a SELF-EXERCISE, but the in working of the Holy Spirit. We need to let
HIS MIND be in us. HE will think positively, but not with a carnal
SELF-assertiveness. For this we have found− the deep in workings of the Cross
do not take away our self-respect, sense of self-value that belongs to the
natural realm. It is dealing with an entirely different realm. The cross is used
to cancel out any self-effort to become spiritual. All of the natural gifts and
graces with which we are endowed in the earthy, which are proper for their
sphere, do not qualify us for spiritual glories. It is true that the spiritual
will help you to be a better natural person, but the natural can never help you
to be a better spiritual person. "It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh
profits nothing," regarding spiritual things. (John 6:63).
And so Jesus clearly taught, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and
die, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves
his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it
unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there
shall also My servant be." (John 12:24-26).
To pursue a course of trying to find our TRUE SPIRITUAL LIFE in natural things
is an exercise in futility. To try and find this LIFE in soulish
improvement is also heading down a dead-end street. To subject ourselves to a
system of religious works proves to accomplish just the opposite of what we set
about to obtain. "I know that these regulations look wise with their
self-inspired efforts at worship, their policy of self-humbling, and their
studied neglect of the body. But in actual practice they do honor, not to God,
but to man's own pride." (Col.
2:23, Phillips).
To seek to save our life is only to lose it. But, to offer it up to our Lord, to
yield ourselves to Him continually− to daily take up our cross to follow Him,
and you will find that HIS LIFE super abounds. And you have not passed from life
into death, but just the opposite, you have gone from the realm of death (the
carnal mind) into the LIFE OF CHRIST which abides. And it is not just a one time
experience, but an ON-GOING REALIZATION, with the greater victories yet before
us.
Some folk are tempted to try and repeat yesterday's sacrifice and blessing, to
find their life in a re-living of what has already been, not realizing that this
becomes a barrier to going on, for it stunts spiritual growth and progression.
This is not God's plan. The former things must pass away, they are not
sufficient for today. "Remember not the former things, neither consider the
things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall
you not know it?" (Isa. 43:18-19).
Remember not− the Hebrew word is "zakar" to imprint, make a memorial. It is
more than just a recalling to mind, but has the thought of re-living, to
participate in. We are not called to recite and re-live the past over and over.
The more you recite the past the more you build it into a structure against the
future− it becomes an obstruction. Milking the memory dry of those things which
once blessed us in the past, is surely an exercise in futility, it does not
birth the new. Too much of this re-living and we miss the light and life that He
has for us today. To seek to find our life in that which has already passed, is
to LOSE IT. Re-living a bye-gone order is not LIFE. Living in the
realm of memories is but a shadow of existence, it does not produce satisfaction
and a vibrant life sufficient for the now.
God is a Fountain of life− pools just stay where they are, and often even
become stagnant, but a fountain flows and flows. We need a fresh drink from the
Living Fountain! A SPRINGING FORTH of His life to lead us onward.
We have prayed too long about "doing" the will of God, not realizing that
service is secondary− the result of living out His life. It is not what we DO,
but what we ARE− we become a manifestation of His will. When we are
willing to die to self, and yes, all religious programs, then HIS LIFE will flow
in. In losing our life, we find HIS! The inner transformation takes place
when self-life ends, and His life is released through us. Even the mind is
renewed− thoughts and imaginations bow to the supremacy of HIS MIND−
and truly, He says "My thoughts are not your thoughts..."
Willing to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. To be led by the
guidance and rule of the Spirit. Thus, it is only when we come to know that HE
LIVES IN US, that we can say, "In Him we live, and move, and have our being."For
in reality, HE lives and moves and has HIS being in us!
He is calling a people unto/into Himself, to be ONE IN HIM. Often this will take
us away from the field of activity, to wait before Him. People often
misunderstand this, and say, "Why aren't you out in ministry?" How little do men
realize that service, out of human effort, outside the will of God, accomplishes
nothing. Of what use is "our" ministry unless it is HIS appointment? Of what use
is it to go unless He sends?
How legalistic we become! Professing to have been delivered from the Law, we
immediately legalize the New Testament, "If you will do this... if you will do
that... if you will give this..." and soon we are in bondage which always comes
when we nullify His sacrifice, and try to add to it with our own works.
"Sacrifice and offering You would not..."
It is time to quiet our hearts before Him, that HE might speak within us of
those truths which are so essential for these days. To BE STILL− ah, that is a
challenge! Regardless of how tumultuous the waves were on the sea of Galilee, He
could rise up, and say "Peace, be still," and they would quiet down again. His
creative power ruled over all the forces of His creation. When He gave the
command, the creation obeyed. They had no ears to hear, they had no minds to
receive Him, but those waves were subject to His Word/power. Likewise God could
exact an obedience from our hearts− but He is not coercive, He desires far more
from His people, for He would have us to BE WILLING. "Whosoever will, let him
take of the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17). He would commune with us. He
says to us, "be still and KNOW that I am God." To the waves, He
said, "Be still..." but to His people He says, "Be still AND KNOW," for He would
not only quiet our stormy hearts, but He would whisper His secrets into us, that
we might know− KNOW THAT HE IS GOD, in sovereign control of all our
circumstances. Often we give lip service to this truth, but we do not really
KNOW IT deep within. And why do we not know it? Because we have not been
STILL long enough before Him for Him to communicate to us of these verities
of His over-flowing life.
How desperately we need to know, as the hymn beautifully states, that−
"THE CROSS is not greater than His grace,
The storms
cannot hide His blessed face;
I am satisfied
to know that with Jesus here below,
I can conquer
every foe."
It is only when we recognize that "all things work together into good for them
that love God..." that these events in our life take on their proper
perspective. HE is fulfilling HIS PLAN in and for us− and He must needs lead us
through these valleys, guide us homeward by the way of His Cross.
We are not to focus our attention on the storm, but on HIM who is "the Author
and the Finisher of our faith." The more we see Him IN all these things, the
more we will lose our fear, and embrace His peace.
"Fear has torment," (1 John 4:18). What fears have worked their torment in the
children of God. Did what happened happen because I failed? Was it because I did
not pray right? Because I did not do right? etc., as if the responsibility for
the all these events was upon our own shoulder. Have we never read, "And the
government shall be upon HIS shoulder..."? (Isa. 9:6). Truly, He has
said, "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matt. 28:18). "There
is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things: and we in Him..." (1 Cor.
8:6). Can we, do we really believe this?
Fear– what if I prayed and nothing happened? The prayer is on our part, the
answer is on His part. We are not forced to answer our own prayers. We commit
the whole unto the Lord, and trust Him to work out whatever is best for us.
Unbelief misses the mark! "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 14:23). We
must believe that HE is working out that which is GOOD− good for us, and which
will redound to His praise.
Often people will quote Job 3:25, "For the thing which I greatly feared is come
upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." This is not a
guaranteed happening. FEAR DOES NOT CREATE! How many thousand times have
we feared and worried about things, and they never did happen. People are
altogether too superstitious, tormented with groundless fears, because they do
not KNOW that GOD ALONE IS IN CONTROL. Seems like we need to repeat it often,
"The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord; and He delights in his way. Though
he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His
hand." (Ps. 37:23-24).
He does not demand of us a series of sacrifices that become some spiritual
penance whereby we work our way into the Kingdom. It is the broken and contrite
heart that He will not despise. We cannot develop a LIFE like His, no matter how
we try, for only Christ can live the Christ-life through us. Surely He would
cleanse us of all the unnecessary thoughts and words which are sacrilegious in
His holy Place.
The good in self is to be laid upon the altar just as much as the evil− HE IS
COMPLETE, and we cannot add to His completeness. And He will be IN US ALL THAT
HE IS− so that "Through union with Him, you, too, are filled with it." (Col.
2:9-10 Williams).
There is so much of our "religion" that we need to let go of− all of this soulish, selfish system which repudiates the Presence of the indwelling Christ.
Religion fails, but our Lord ever remains the Victor! All human systems might be
stripped naked and reveal their appalling helplessness, but CHRIST STILL REIGNS.
It is "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
(Zech. 4:6). Often it is a struggle to YIELD UP our "former life of doing,"
especially if we were, for a moment, successful in seeing a few miracles because
the grace of God went beyond our feeble efforts, to answer the need of an open
heart. But the more He opens our eyes to see the futility of a religious
soulish life, the more we are convinced of the absolute helplessness of man,
unless he is anointed by the Spirit of God, and it is "no more I, but Christ
lives in me."
Knowing of our human tendencies to exalt self, and enthrone the flesh, Paul laid
it out plainly, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound
the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty;... that no flesh should glory in His Presence." (1 Cor. 1:27,
29). Even though our creed and doctrine may be true, it cannot convey the
manifestation of His power. Therefore, it is "not of the letter, but of the
Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor. 3:6). How
we desire to move out of that abstract realm in which men take pride in their
understanding of the printed Word, and enter into that realm where the
SPIRIT OF THE WORD quickens us, and we behold His glory− the glory of our
Living Lord!
This glory is not found in our self-life, no matter how much we embellish it
with images of spirituality. There is such futility in trying to lift man's
understanding into higher dimensions of life. You explain it over and over
again, draw the charts, list the seven points, etc. but this does not produce a
QUICKENED HEART− for only the Spirit can infuse us with His life. It is when we
DIE to the realm of types and shadows, images of the real, that He can impart
resurrection life that causes us to KNOW AS HE KNOWS, and bring us into greater
expressions of His life.
Ah, yes, "He that loses his life shall find it. But he that seeks to save his
life, shall lose it." Herein is an outworking principle that is found all the
way through the Scriptures. It is the remarkable mystery of the divine interplay
of good and evil, and how HE sows the seeds of gain in loss itself. What you
thought you had lost, you find you have gained, but what you thought you had
retained, kept to yourself, you will have lost. To lose and yet to gain− only
in the realm of divine economy can this be so.
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out." (Rom. 11:33).
Often do we read with amazement, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make
peace, and create evil." (Isa. 45:7). Interplaying the negative with the
positive, to work out a purpose so glorious that "Since the beginning of the
world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O
God, beside You, what He has prepared for him that waits for Him. You meet him
that rejoices and works righteousness, those that remember You in Your ways."
(Isa. 64:4-5).
With remarkable candor He states, "I kill, and I make alive: I wound, and I
heal..." (Deut. 32:39). And again, "He has torn, and He will heal us; He has
wounded, and He will bind us up." (Hosea 6:1). Thus, HE CAUSES US TO SUFFER
LOSS, that He might ultimately bless us with His ETERNAL GAIN.
Hannah experienced the depth of sorrow, she was barren, and "Her adversary also
provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb."
(1 Sam. 1:6). Talk about losing her life, unfulfilled desires, being torn,
wounded, etc. it was a bitter time. BUT GOD− when she poured it all out before
Him, He turned her sorrow into joy, and with rejoicing she declared− "The Lord
kills, and makes alive: He brings down to the grave, and brings up. The Lord
makes poor, and makes rich: He brings low, and lifts up. He raises up the poor
out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among
princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory..." (1 Sam. 2:6-8). Yes, Hannah may have
thought she had lost her life− shamed by her adversary, her pride was
demolished, her sense of value to her husband was diminished, but turning to the
Lord, to cast herself upon Him, she found her life in a way she could never have
imagined. Out of her barrenness God produced a new life− life that would
glorify God− for Samuel would be given to minister to the Lord.
Experiencing the deep in workings of this principle of "losing and finding,"
Paul writes, "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. For we which
live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but
life in you." (2 Cor.
4:10-22).
Herein is a spiritual in working of grace− note it, A SPIRITUAL IN WORKING, for
this is a "heart attitude" not just a physical exhibition. Jesus made, this very
clear when He taught His disciples, "But when you fast, anoint your head, and
wash your face; that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father which
is in secret..." (Matt. 6:17-18). Men see the outward− "Man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7). Take care
on how you APPEAR BEFORE MEN− to have a smile upon your face, while you are
"dying within." The laying down of our life is UNTO GOD, not unto men, so do not
subject men to the agony. Only God knows how deeply the cross is penetrating
into your self-life, to bring an end to that wherein the flesh would boast. The
death is inward, it does not have to "appear before men" unless you want them to
see it and sympathize with you on how heavy your cross must be, but such a
portrayal will only nourish the "suffering self" and prolong the process. But
the more we "lay down our life," then the more HE can unite us with HIS LIFE,
and it is IN HIM that we would be found. "Found in Him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the
power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made
conformable unto His death." (Phil. 3:9-10).
"He that loses his life for My sake shall find it." FIND IT− interesting Greek
word, "heurisko" meaning: to find, to come upon, find a thing sought, to
discover. FINDING OUR LIFE IN HIM− "Your life is hid with Christ in
God." (Col. 3:3). We do nothing to cause that life to BE− it is HIS LIFE that
He shares with us. The creature contributes nothing, we but RECEIVE what
He so freely gives. And it has been well stated that, "Man never discovers God's
strength until he first finds his own weakness." It is in the losing of our
life, that we find His life. As we share with Him His death, we shall also share
His resurrection. HE causes us to rise above natural things, above the
soulish impulses− yes, above the appeal to our carnal reasoning, to where we
become one with the moving of His Spirit.
I know it is one thing to write/speak of these things, and quite another to
experientially live them out. It is easy to read the Word, and yet not read it.
Though we might nod our heads in approval, it fails to become a daily in
working/outliving. But more and more He is revealing to us how "nothing" we are,
and how much HE IS EVERYTHING. And once again, in our spirit, we hear Jesus
saying, "For with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27). Usually we read it
to mean, "all things are possible TO God." And while this is true, it is
not what Jesus said here. He is not talking about the power of God apart from
man, but of the power of God working IN and THROUGH man− man working WITH Him.
We readily confess that "Only God could do it." And in a sense that is true, but
when we become ONE WITH HIM− then we are made partakers of that LIFE and POWER.
And what does it take to become one with Him? LOSING OUR LIFE, that we might be
enriched with HIS life.
There is a "togetherness" which needs to become a living reality in us. As Paul
said, "If so be that we suffer WITH Him, that we may be also glorified
together." (Rom. 8:17). The Greek prefix "sum, or, sun," is attached to many
words, making them a TOGETHER WITH− we suffer WITH Him, and we'll also reign
WITH Him. We are "Planted together in the likeness of His death, (and) we shall
be also in the likeness of His resurrection." (Rom. 6:5).
Unless God does it, we cannot do it, and there is no use in trying. We can shout
and carry on, forgetting that the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:26-28) did that
very thing but it brought no power, and there was no manifestation of fire. But
when we come into UNION WITH GOD, there is a WITH-NESS wherein all things are
possible. "The Lord working WITH them, and confirming the Word with signs
following." (Mark 15:20). Praise God, in the losing of our life, we then become
partakers of HIS LIFE−
all to His glory and praise!
_________________________________________________
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Prinzing, Ray and Doris "Letters of Truth"
Boise, Idaho 83705, P.O. Box 5822
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