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Dying to self

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:20 pm
by LeannaZ
I was listenening to one of Steve's lectures the other day and he read this poem. I found it on the internet--I have no idea who wrote it, but I think it's really great and I just wanted to share it with anyone interested.

DYING TO SELF
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to- face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF

Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.

Re: Dying to self

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:04 pm
by Ian
Hello Leanna,

An interesting and thought-provoking list!
I`m sure Christians find some of those points naturally easy and others naturally hard. I guess I find nr 4 easy and nr 2 very hard. I`m good at tolerating overall incompetence (etc) in others for example, but not so robust regarding personal attacks. I suppose real progress occurs when advances are made in those traits that don`t come "naturally".

Just one thing - how do you know these are "the last days"?

Re: Dying to self

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:36 pm
by backwoodsman
Some real food for thought there.

Some websites that quote it say it was written by Bill Britton.

re: last days, some have that as part of the quote.

Re: Dying to self

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:56 pm
by LeannaZ
Hi Ian,
I too found some parts of the list to be easier and /or harder than others.

I have no idea whether we are in the "last days". The poem stated it, not me personally:)