It can seem like a harsh way of dealing with a problem. But when we look closely, it is actually the approach we already agree is best for changing behavior.
The Principle of Consequences
In everyday life, behavior only truly changes when there are serious consequences for bad choices:
- Speeding brings traffic tickets.
- Breaking school rules brings suspensions.
- Poor lifestyles bring health issues; overspending brings financial trouble.
God gave us free will, but humanity has mostly used it to serve “self” resulting in a world full of division and strife. God is preparing an eternity in Heaven where relationships will be entirely wholesome. If we brought our current messes into Heaven, it wouldn’t be Heaven at all; it would just be more of the same that we have here.
To prevent that, God had to make the solution crystal clear: We must “die to self” if we want to find something better because focus on self corrupts relationships.
Why Jesus Had to Die
God didn’t invent consequences arbitrarily. He used the ultimate consequence—laid upon His own Son—to show us how critical it is to break our addiction to “self.”
- The Eternal Purpose: This world is a classroom where we learn the difference between serving ourselves and serving others. God knew before creating the world that we would need redemption, and Jesus willingly stepped up to be that redeemer.
- More Than Physical Pain: The physical flogging and crucifixion that Jesus endured was gruesome, but taking on the spiritual weight of human sin was far heavier. He chose to lay down His life so we could learn to trust a wiser, more loving Father. And, according to plan, He was resurrected on the third day to show us there is a new life and better life after dying to self.
- Consequences change behaviors: We usually do not take something serious unless there are serious consequences for misbehavior. God is showing how important it is to making Heaven a much better place by emphasizing the need to “die” to “self”. But it doesn’t require our actual physical death. Many people just want some rules and rituals to follow, not actually dying to self, so God had to make the importance clear. Focus on self corrupts relationships and that cannot be a part of Heaven.
- A Love Beyond Human Standards: As Romans points out, humans will rarely die even for a truly righteous person. Yet, Christ died for us while we were still sinners, demonstrating a love that completely transcends our performance.
- The Necessity of New Life: Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a person is “born again,” they cannot see the kingdom of God. This internal transformation is not about following religious rules; it requires a radical shift in allegiance.
- The Picture of Baptism: Baptism is a visual representation of this exact truth. Going under the water symbolizes burying our focus on “self,” and coming back up symbolizes starting a new life trusting God.
Taking the need to “die to self” seriously is what will make Heaven a place of joy, peace, and wholesome relationships for all of eternity.
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Bible verses:
- James 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
- Romans 5:7-8 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (“born again” = dying to focus on “self” and now living in trust of God)
- Matthew 26:36-42 (summarized): Jesus is in deep distress because of what He is going to experience this night and the next day. Two of the statements He makes are: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” and “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”