Quote:
Originally Posted by bearbear
Would you consider statements by Jesus such as these as commands? Are they optional? or required?
Matthew 10:38
And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Luke 9:24
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
And others by Paul such as these:
Romans 6:11
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
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Not sure whether we agree on any particular one of these. You quoted them and made no comment. Yet you request a comment by me or others.
The problem is what do each of these mean? If you feel a need to define the cross that must be taken up in following, then you will not get as much agreement as you might like. Similarly, what is the meaning of "giving up your life"?
While Jesus is the source, Paul did some really good commentary. "Consider yourself dead" is clearly a term of art, not some harsh command. This clearly requires that we think about ourselves and our condition, and engage our will to stand on God's side, engage with the Spirit, and do it His way rather than our own. If we just do it our way, we are not dead.
Yet, do you assume that this means that you don't end out doing some of the same things either way? I still stay married to my wife. I still don't cheat on my expense report and taxes. But the reason I do what I do is no longer based on my decision. I am no longer the source of decisions on right and wrong. Or good and evil. I return that responsibility to God.
While considering yourself dead to sin requires our active participation, the "why" of it has moved from us to Christ. We must change our minds. Sometimes that will also require that we change our actions. But other times it may just change the reason for our actions.
And if you don't see the difference, it will show up when there arises conflict with others. If we are dead to sin, love will guide our way. Otherwise self-interest (and sin) will rule.