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The Meaning of Being Dead to Self in Christ
Why do dead men feel no insults, and are you truly dead to self?
would you please help me to find the source for the following quote? "dead men cannot feel. You are not dead. If you were, and your life were hid in Christ, a thousand things which you now notice, and which afflict you, would be passed by as unworthy of notice; you would then be grasping the eternal and would be above the petty trials of this life."
AdventAI
The quote you are looking for emphasizes the spiritual state of being "dead to self," which allows a person to rise above the irritations and small trials of this world by keeping their eyes fixed on eternity. When a person is truly dead and their life is hid in Christ, they do not feel or react to insults and mortifications because they are focused on grasping the eternal things that lie beyond these petty afflictions Colossians 3:3.
...re dead to self, will not feel so readily, and be prepared to resist everything which may irritate. Dead men cannot feel. You are not dead. If you were dead, and your life was hid in Christ, a thousand things which you now notice, and which afflict you, would be passed by as unworthy of notice; you would then be grasping the eternal, and would be above the little petty trials of this life
The Meaning of Being Dead to Self
Emotional Resilience: Those who have surrendered their will to God do not feel insults as readily or resist every little thing that might irritate them.
The Baptismal Pledge: By baptism, a person confesses the Lord as their Ruler and pledges that their life is merged into the life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
A Hidden Life: This experience is described as being dead to the world's pride and ambition, with one's life securely hidden with Christ in God Colossians 3:3.
Spiritual Victory: Truly dying to self provides the power of the gospel, enabling a Christian to triumph even over the fear of death.
Focusing on the Eternal
When the soul is brought into harmony with the Redeemer, it gains the moral power to stand the strongest tests of character. Instead of focusing on present trials, we are encouraged to look to the "eternal weight of glory" that lasts forever 2 Corinthians 4:17. This perspective helps us to pass through the trials of life without being consumed by them, as the fires of affliction only serve to remove dross and purify the character.
By setting our affections on things above rather than things on the earth, we testify before angels and men that we live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Colossians 3:2. This steadfast faith ensures that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we will also appear with Him in glory Colossians 3:4.
Sources · 7
- T18 105.1Testimony for the Church — No. 18
- 1MR 118.2Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]
- 8LtMs, Ms 76, 1893, par. 40Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
- WOR 197.5Waggoner on Romans
- T25 144.2Testimony for the Church — No. 25
- ARSH January 24, 1865, page 71.12Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 25
- T14 96.1Testimony for the Church — No. 14