Who is the Greatest? Our Big Problem

 As Jesus was explaining that He was about to be betrayed, turned over to the Romans, beaten and crucified, the disciples were disputing which of them was the greatest.  It seems we all have "eye" trouble, only seeing me, myself , and I and looking out for number one (which unfortunately is ourselves.)  

Just as Satan tempted Eve with the comment "you will become like God," our fallen nature is deceived to think everything revolves around us.  1 John 2 calls it "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."  Pride caused Lucifer to fall, and pride is what leads human nature to strife (Proverbs 13:10) and strife opens the door to every other evil (James 3:14-16).  God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

So the first step in the foundation doctrines listed in Hebrews 6 is repentance from dead works.  And Romans 8 is clear that to be carnally minded is death.  Even Paul groaned "Who is going to deliver me from this body of death (Romans 7:24)  Dead works are any thoughts, emotions, and choices that put the flesh, our self-centeredness first. 

Repent.  John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah with the message, "Repent."  Jesus, anointed with the Holy Spirit, declared, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."  On the day of Pentecost, Peter answered the crowd's request "what shall we do?" by revealing this key, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Repent comes from the Greek word, "metanoia" meaning meta (change) and noia (our mind, thoughts).  To repent is to turn our thinking from self first to putting God first.

In Acts 3:26 Peter informed the crowd that "God, having raised up His servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."  His first blessing is opening our eyes and heart to see how destructive and hopeless it is to have self on the throne, to live for our own pleasures.  God is good, and He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing, providing rain for the just and the unjust.  However, in Romans 2:4 the Word points out that in "the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"

Consider the words of Jesus, (in Luke 9:23) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."   Paul said it this way in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."  God sets before us life and death, with the admonition, choose life.  Put off the old man, put on the new man created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  So the choice is a no-brainer, live for the flesh which is death, or turn from the old man and choose the nature of Jesus Christ in you.

What is even more encouraging is that God helps us make the choice, "to will and to work for His pleasure."  Romans 8:13 suggests that if by the Holy Spirit we "put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."  See how this confirms the passage in 2 Timothy 2:19, "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'” 

So repentance from self is the first Hebrews 6 foundational doctrine.  Let God help you deny your fallen nature with its desires for prominence, and allow God to make you a new creation through the finished work of Jesus.  However, our new life in Christ is built on this foundation, and that we from this point on "reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:11) 

Here is how to apply this truth.  Every believer can start the day, thanking God for His mercy, which allows us to put to death the old man through faith in the cross, and put on the new nature of Jesus.  Then in every situation and challenge that comes up that day, remember that you, your pride, your reputation are dead, so that the life of Jesus can be manifested in you.