LESS

Have you ever desired less? Yesterday’s devotional was about “More.” I find it fitting that today’s is about “Less.”


As I opened God’s Word during prayer, the notion of “less” came to mind. While reading the Old Testament, I was struck by how patient God was with our perpetual rebellion. Everywhere I looked, the same theme resonated: we needed less of our flesh and more of God’s Spirit.


It appears that all God requested from us was to praise and worship Him, and Him alone. Yet, we surrounded ourselves with “More.”


• More idols
• More idol worship
• More rebellion


Why do we struggle so much with obedience? Why is it challenging to have “Less Flesh”?


For those of you who are consistently obedient, why did it take you so long to become pure and holy (said facetiously)? “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one ...’” (Romans 3:10 NIV)


Why don’t we fall on our faces the moment we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, and metaphorically, remain in that position? Upon reflecting on Christ’s majesty, why don’t we immediately prostrate ourselves in total humility before this all-powerful, loving, and comforting Supreme Being who created us? Is not our destiny in His hands? Is Christ not worthy of worship from sunrise to sunset? What holds us back?


If you asked me, I would admit to having too much of myself and not enough of Christ in the equation.


LESS OF ME; MORE OF CHRIST
I feel as though I'm playing a game of Whack-a-mole with selfish, self-centered behavior. By the Holy Spirit, I overcome sin in one area of my life, only for it to resurface in another. Why can’t all these tendencies remain buried with me when I was baptized with Christ?


There is still too much of “me” involved in running “my life.” And this very realization provides the answer to my problem - I still perceive this as “my life,” which I offer part of to Christ, rather than Christ's life, which He imparts to me.


We need less of ourselves and more of Christ. We can achieve this by flipping the script. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)


BURIED IN CHRIST
One crucial passage that elucidates this concept is found in Paul's letter to the Romans:


"Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:3-4 NIV)


Just as Jesus died and was buried, we Christ-followers are united with Christ in His redemptive work. And we were raised as Christ has been raised, "having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12 NIV) We are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.


This truth is nothing short of amazing and should transform every thought, every action, and completely control how I live my life. But it doesn’t, and that is sin! So why do I keep sinning?


DYING DAILY TO SELF
The issue is that only part of me is dead to sin.


Here is the good news: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV)


But here is the bad news: The old man in me is still alive. I echo the Apostle Paul’s words: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19 NIV) Despite my best intentions and my sincere desire to live a life that honors God, I find myself continually grappling with the sinful inclinations of my flesh.


Yet, in the midst of this struggle, I cling to the hope found in Christ. Though the old man may still exert its influence, I am reminded that I am no longer enslaved to sin. As Paul declares, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, NIV)


In Christ, I find forgiveness for my past failures, strength for my present struggles, and hope for my future transformation. It is through His indwelling presence and the power of the Holy Spirit that I am enabled to crucify the flesh and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Day by day, as I fix my eyes on Jesus and walk in obedience to His Word, I am being conformed more fully to His image.


CONCLUSION
The never-ending tension between our “old man” and our “new creation” identity may persist, for our flesh is stubborn and does not die easily. However, we take heart in the assurance that God is at work within us, accomplishing His purposes according to His perfect timing.


I do have a solution to offer, and that is the daily time of surrender first thing every morning. Many Christian teachers say it does not matter when we have our daily quiet time, so long as we have it. I beg to differ. I don’t think there is a substitute for a time first thing in the morning, as we surrender our day to Christ. Consider the example Jesus Christ gave us: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35 NIV)


As I surrender myself afresh to Him each day, I trust that He will continue the good work He has started in me until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). I trust that is true for you as well, my friend. May His grace sustain us and His Spirit empower us as we become less of our “flesh” and more like Him, every day.


One day at a time.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
February 19, 2024
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.