From Clyde’s excellent book, “Because We Love Him: Embracing Life of Holiness.”

“Some may romanticize death to self from a distance, as one would romanticize martyrdom. But there is nothing romantic about the reality of death. Yet when we love Christ, we are drawn to follow Him in death. This death is a daily, deliberate finishing with and forgetting about self. When one dies, there is no more pain, and on the other side, resurrection (see Luke 9:23-24).

The Cross is the standard that we must hold up to the world. But today, in our society, most of us who profess to know Christ would never dream of offering the Cross to the world. This is because we are not attracted to it ourselves.

Thus there is a constant attempt in the church to attract the world with the world. We offer entertainment, facilities, personalities – but not the Cross. Yet Jesus said, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32).

What then is the gauge of our likeness to Christ? Is it an anointing on our teaching or preaching? Is it charisma? Is it our ability to persuade? No. It is death to self; it is the cross. We must take no thought for ourselves but put the needs of others above our own; and in this mindset daily exhibit to them the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, the characteristics of the resurrection life, empowered by the Holy Spirit.“

Image via author, unnamed lake Wallowa Mountains, Oregon.