How to Die to Self and Live by Faith

Galatians 2:20-21 is a powerful reminder of what it means to be a Christian. The title “How to Die to Self and Live by Faith” encapsulates the essence of the passage. It speaks to the death of the old self and the new life that comes through faith in Jesus. This passage challenges you to let go of your own desires. It requires you to surrender your life to God. Thus allowing Him to live through you.

Gal 2:20-21

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.

What Does It Mean to Die To Self?

It’s the daily process that requires us to continually surrender our will to God. We must be willing to put aside our desires and plans. And we stop obeying our old selves. You say, along with Jesus, “…not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). You pick up your cross daily, fresh each morning.

What Does It Mean to Live By Faith?

To live by faith means that you trust in God’s provision for you. It means that you do not rely on your strength or abilities but on the power of the Holy Spirit working in you. So you must be willing to take risks and step out in faith. Trust that God will provide what you really need (not what you really want). And know that He will guide you in all things.

Why I Didn’t Die To Self

I’ve had anger issues for a very long time. The best I can figure is they are rooted in my childhood, of course. As a result, or because of that, I developed a superiority complex. Because I was good at a lot of stuff, it became an easy escape mechanism for me. Also, it made me feel better. Feeling disconnected from everyone around me, including my absent father, always made it difficult to ‘feel’ accepted by people around me. See how this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts? I kept digging myself deeper into this

In the early days after I became a Christian, I heard a lot of sermons about what Christians do and don’t do. I wouldn’t say the church was overly legalistic. But it certainly had overtones of it. I don’t recall hearing a single “Live By Faith” type sermon. As I was digging into Scripture, I was subconsciously, feeding my old “self”/”sin nature”. When I would read about Jesus or an apostle doing something good, I figured if I “act” that way, then people would accept me.

Just a quick side note you need to understand: acceptance and approval are 2 VERY different things. I find this next statement very ironic. Even though Jesus fully and unconditionally accepted me just as I was, I did not accept me just as I was. Because I didn’t “accept” myself (I always had to be ‘better’), how could God? So, letting my old self ‘rule’, I worked at showing God He made a good choice with me (ROFL).

That is nothing even close to what ‘dying to self’ is about.

How Did I Learn to Die to Myself?

First, let me be honest. Just like you, I still struggle with this. We will struggle with this at times in individual ways until we leave this Earth.

But, I “learned” when I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired of not knowing how to die to self. I begged God for hours. But I didn’t just ask and wait. I searched scripture. I spent hours in Christian bookstores looking through books.

Then, one day, it seemed like I just started realizing how I could die to self, what it meant.

I “learned” by doing the things I’m sharing with you. And over time I started to see I was struggling less. Then I thanked God for opening my eyes. If you are not in a “Live By Faith” mode it is not because God does not want you to be. It’s because you aren’t looking in the right places and asking the right questions.

How Can You Die To Self?

1. Recognize that your old self was crucified with Christ on the cross. You are already dead! And you already live by faith (Gal 2:20).
   • You had a sinful habit ingrained in you before conversion. When you became a Christian, in reality, you died to your will and those old habits. Dead is Dead. There is no being a little dead.
   • But habits are problematic. Even after conversion, those habits rear their ugly head. However, post-conversion, those habits do NOT have power over you. You do not have to obey them. Recognize (acknowledge/remember) those old habits were crucified at the cross. Remember you already live by faith.
2. Surrender your will and desires to God, seeking His will above your own (Matt 6:10).
   • Here are 3 examples of how. In and of themselves, none of these are necessarily sinful desires. But think about them and ask God to show you if any apply to you.
     • Career success. Whether it’s climbing a corporate ladder or owning a successful business, ask yourself “What does God want me to do?”.
     • Financial security. This is a big one for a lot of people these days. Ask yourself “How much of my income does God want me to use for His plans?”. But remember, “Live By Faith” does not mean do not plan.
     • Your Love Life. Oh, too close to home? Talk to God about it. I think He would like you to see His perspective.
3. Renew your mind through the study and application of God’s Word. (Rom 12:2)
   • Begin each day with a time of prayer and Bible reading. Ask God for His guidance. Say “Not my will, but Your will in and through me.’  The words are not a magic incantation. This is about developing God-centered habits in your life.
4. Memorize Scripture.
   • Repeat the verses you read throughout the day. Meditate on them regularly. His Word is your spiritual food. You need food to live by faith.
   • Before you decide ANYTHING (yes, ANY and EVERY THNG), ask the Holy Spirit to guide your decision. Trust Him.  This will take effort. But, doesn’t deciding to die take effort?  Over time, it becomes easier, and eventually, becomes a habit of ‘dying daily’.
5. Continually remind yourself of the eternal perspective, focusing on the things that are above, not on earthly things. (Col 3:2)
   • This may not seem obvious, but trust me here. Simplify your life. Cut out the distractions you allow in your life. It will begin to free up time for the next parts.
   • As you go through your day, look around and wonder what the rest of the world thinks about what you read that morning. I did not say to think about what they think of YOU. What do they think about what God’s Word says? That will show you the eternal versus the present. To live by faith, you need an eternal perspective.
6. Resist temptation and flee from sin, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome. (1 Cor 10:13)
   • To keep this simple and obvious, don’t go where you shouldn’t go. You are a Christian. You have your witness to think about. You need to remember you are a representative of Jesus. Wherever you go, realize someone is watching. The demons want you to fail. They want you to go to that club. They will entice you to stop at that bar and have a drink.

How Can You Live By Faith?

1. Pray continually, seeking the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I am not talking about blind faith. To live by faith is the belief you are already alive by faith.
2. Read and meditate on the Word of God daily to renew your mind and strengthen your faith.
3. Examine yourself often. Self-examination is not just for Communion Sundays. This helped me a lot. I would talk to God about this almost on a nightly basis.
4. Confess your sins and repent of them. Ask for God’s forgiveness and grace.
5. Obey God’s commands, out of love and gratitude for all He has done for you.

Conclusion

So, what do you think? What are you struggling with? Are you like me, someone who wants to try to gain God’s acceptance? Let me know in the comments below. And, until next time… start to live by faith.

God Bless,

DonR