Devotional #89

Question 89. What is the dying of the old self?

Answer: It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them (a).

(a) Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Joel 2:13: Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Hosea.6:1: “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

For your personal reflection:
Do you attempt to rationalize your sin?  Do you defend yourself from accusation?  Do you see “sin” as simply a “mistake?”  As we die to our old self we begin to agree with God that there is no health within us.  When we see sin as God sees sin instead of a offering a defense for our behavior there is a sorrow followed by a radical turing away from sin and sinful behavior.
When accused, how do you respond?
What actions and attitudes do you defend?
What does God seek to kill that you wish to keep alive?