Essence = the root or core of something that manifests within. It is the fundamental nature of sin within our humanity to guard against. Is your essence drawn to goodness and doing the right thing even when it’s hard? Or is it drawn only to self out of hurt, pain, addiction, a feeling of needing to just zone out without any help from Jesus?
Die to self = to eliminate what draws us to sin, daily. It is our cross to bear. We think we can control it or deserve it. But we, alone, cannot. Our help comes from the Holy Spirit within. This occurs when we establish a daily relationship with Jesus, who lived on earth as a human and had to die to self every day to maintain the essence of God (His core nature within called Holy Spirit). What is the sin within that must die in order for you to live whole and learn holiness?
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:22
The essence of who each of us are created to be is not just self, which leads to selfishness, but rather to seek to be closer to the creator. It is a choice to learn His Way. God is not a dictator. Every day we must choose between sin of self or self direction by learning Jesus’ way.
Teach yourself the discipline of seeking Jesus’ way of thinking, doing, praying, and serving. All of these are part of self care as well, God intends for us to care for our well being. It is, after all, the temple within.
Jesus helps us when we ask. It’s never too late to start a different path in life. Pray for it today.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23