| www.overcomingself.net |
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| Religious freedom is good (Roman 13:1-3). |
| Exercising that freedom is better (1 Peter 2:16). |
| Preparing for heaven is best (Matthew 16:26). |
Why This Website?
1. To be boldly Christ-centered and Bible-based.
2. To help self deal with any impediments from connecting with God. To
be a follower of Christ in the Bible way may really be a matter of
overcoming self.
be a follower of Christ in the Bible way may really be a matter of
overcoming self.
3. Overcoming Self is not directly for scholarship, moral counseling, or
politics. However, such matters always do have a part, and do have their
place. Such matters are covered in other web sites.
politics. However, such matters always do have a part, and do have their
place. Such matters are covered in other web sites.
4. To mirror and focus on the different factors which could distract human
nature from partaking of the divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust", 2 Peter 1:4.
nature from partaking of the divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust", 2 Peter 1:4.
5. To shed carnal pounds, and build spiritual muscle, by exercising unto
holiness and godliness. "But refuse profane and old wives' fable, and
exercise thyself rather unto godliness", 1 Timothy 4:7 (compare 1
Thessalonians 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14).
holiness and godliness. "But refuse profane and old wives' fable, and
exercise thyself rather unto godliness", 1 Timothy 4:7 (compare 1
Thessalonians 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14).
What is meant by "Self"?
To be "Overcoming Self" means to be a conqueror (Romans 8:37) of
one's own selfish pride. It is self-centered pride (Proverbs 29:23) which
prevents a soul from being ready and willing to obey God. It is the
selfishness and self-centered pride of "self" that blocks out obedience to
Christ. It stop souls from even seeking Christ (Matthew 7:7). It is not
suggested that Christians have no personalities that are unique. They do
and should. For example, the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus had
different talents and temperaments. But when Jesus got finished with them
(except for Judas Iscariot) they had overcome their clumsy selfish
ambitions and were ready to work their unique talents for the Savior,
"with one mind," Philippians 1:27.
one's own selfish pride. It is self-centered pride (Proverbs 29:23) which
prevents a soul from being ready and willing to obey God. It is the
selfishness and self-centered pride of "self" that blocks out obedience to
Christ. It stop souls from even seeking Christ (Matthew 7:7). It is not
suggested that Christians have no personalities that are unique. They do
and should. For example, the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus had
different talents and temperaments. But when Jesus got finished with them
(except for Judas Iscariot) they had overcome their clumsy selfish
ambitions and were ready to work their unique talents for the Savior,
"with one mind," Philippians 1:27.
Pride is: the vain thinking when people falsely pretend to know God's
will when they do not; or think that their way is as good or better; or think
that they do not need God (see 1 Timothy 6:3-6 and James 4:6-10); or say
there is no God (Psalm 14:1). As shown in Matthew 23, some of the
worst cases of sinful pride can be seen among the falsely religious, who
presume to go before others "in God's name." Finally, when it comes to
religious terror by the proud, immature, or brainwashed, consider John
16:2 and 1 Peter 3:12-16 (and also lesson #28 Terror).
will when they do not; or think that their way is as good or better; or think
that they do not need God (see 1 Timothy 6:3-6 and James 4:6-10); or say
there is no God (Psalm 14:1). As shown in Matthew 23, some of the
worst cases of sinful pride can be seen among the falsely religious, who
presume to go before others "in God's name." Finally, when it comes to
religious terror by the proud, immature, or brainwashed, consider John
16:2 and 1 Peter 3:12-16 (and also lesson #28 Terror).
Put off the Old. In Colossians 3:9, followers of Christ are told not
to lie to each other, since they have "put off" the "old man" with his
deeds. So the "self" here means that old sinful self that must be forsaken,
for the sake of truth in the sight of God. In fact, "crucified" (Galatians
2:20) and killed "dead" (Romans 6:6-11) is what our old man self is to
be. This is completed after being "buried" with Christ in baptism
(Romans 6:3-5). This baptism also is to "put on Christ," Galatians 3:27.
to lie to each other, since they have "put off" the "old man" with his
deeds. So the "self" here means that old sinful self that must be forsaken,
for the sake of truth in the sight of God. In fact, "crucified" (Galatians
2:20) and killed "dead" (Romans 6:6-11) is what our old man self is to
be. This is completed after being "buried" with Christ in baptism
(Romans 6:3-5). This baptism also is to "put on Christ," Galatians 3:27.
Put on the New. Then in Colossians 3:10 it says to "put on the
new man" which is "renewed" in knowledge. Likewise, after baptism
into the death of Christ, Romans 6:4-5 says the Christian should walk
(live) in "newness" of life. This new life shall be "in the likeness of His
resurrection." 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that one who is thus "in Christ" is
a "new creature." Because "old things are passed away," therefore "all
things are become new." A new understanding (Ephesians 5:17), new
relation to Christ (Romans 8:1-2), new worship in truth (John 4:24), new
true religion (1 John 4:1-6; James 1:22-27), new friends (John 15:14),
and new hope - heaven (Hebrews 11:16; Titus 1:2).
new man" which is "renewed" in knowledge. Likewise, after baptism
into the death of Christ, Romans 6:4-5 says the Christian should walk
(live) in "newness" of life. This new life shall be "in the likeness of His
resurrection." 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that one who is thus "in Christ" is
a "new creature." Because "old things are passed away," therefore "all
things are become new." A new understanding (Ephesians 5:17), new
relation to Christ (Romans 8:1-2), new worship in truth (John 4:24), new
true religion (1 John 4:1-6; James 1:22-27), new friends (John 15:14),
and new hope - heaven (Hebrews 11:16; Titus 1:2).
| This new self, this revolutionized and all-consuming change of mind and life, to prepare to go to heaven, is why this website. |
Overcoming Self. Psalm 36:2 exposes the need to overcome self:
"For he [the wicked] flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his
iniquity be found to be hateful." A person who has overcome self will
gladly acknowledge where they have been ignorant, or lacking in
knowledge. They will be willing to hear and "increase in learning"
(Proverbs 9:8-10). In Acts 2:36-42, some 3000 people "gladly
received" the word of truth, then obeyed. They had just been told that
they had been crucifiers of Christ, Acts 2:23,36. Now, it was time for
them to "crucify self," to overcome self and obey Christ. Question: Just
what did they obey? Answer: the pristine gospel of Christ. That meant 1st
century, pure gospel teaching of one body, before Satan had filled
mankind to confuse, corrupt, dilute, double talk, and sectarianize (then
blame it on Jesus).
"For he [the wicked] flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his
iniquity be found to be hateful." A person who has overcome self will
gladly acknowledge where they have been ignorant, or lacking in
knowledge. They will be willing to hear and "increase in learning"
(Proverbs 9:8-10). In Acts 2:36-42, some 3000 people "gladly
received" the word of truth, then obeyed. They had just been told that
they had been crucifiers of Christ, Acts 2:23,36. Now, it was time for
them to "crucify self," to overcome self and obey Christ. Question: Just
what did they obey? Answer: the pristine gospel of Christ. That meant 1st
century, pure gospel teaching of one body, before Satan had filled
mankind to confuse, corrupt, dilute, double talk, and sectarianize (then
blame it on Jesus).
The Bible gives examples of people who overcame self. To look at
some, click on their names which follow. SELF OVERCOMERS: John
the forerunner of Christ, woman of Canaan, woman of Samaria, Apollos,
Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus.
some, click on their names which follow. SELF OVERCOMERS: John
the forerunner of Christ, woman of Canaan, woman of Samaria, Apollos,
Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus.
Recent Updates to this Site: 3-5-08 Focus 8-22-07 Focus 1-3-07 hys 23,24 12-24-06 hys 26 11-20-06 hys 7 11-17-06 hys 19, 20
11-6-06 Links 9-25-06 hys 6 9-22-06 Links 9-19-06 hys 11 4-28-06 hys 30
11-6-06 Links 9-25-06 hys 6 9-22-06 Links 9-19-06 hys 11 4-28-06 hys 30
| "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you." Romans 16:16 |
| This website is not affiliated with any one or any thing other than myself. Bible quotations are from King James, and where noted a few other translations. To find out more, you may click on the Navigation buttons. Thank you for visiting. -Gratz Brown, a minister in the church of Christ. |
| www.overcomingself.net |
Focus Page
© 2005-2008 Gratz Brown
What is meant by "Self"?
OvercomingSelf.net
supports obedience to
Jesus by helping overcome
selfishness and spiritual
blindness and vainglory.
supports obedience to
Jesus by helping overcome
selfishness and spiritual
blindness and vainglory.
| "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - Jesus (John 8:12) |
| I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. - Jesus, in John 8:12 |
| A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. -Proverbs 14:6 |
| Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. -Matthew 16:24 |
| As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. -Proverbs 25:24 |
| Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. -Proverbs 12:25 |
| For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. -Matthew 16:25 |
| For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? -Matthew 16:26 |
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