arranged rule of conduct, our divine Master, in His wisdom, has
CHAPTER II.
A SUMMARY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. OF SELF-
DENIAL. 5
Chapter Summary:
Chapter 1: The Rule and Description of the Christian Life
I. The Rule for Righteousness: Embracing the divine guidance that keeps us on the path of righteousness. It necessitates abandoning our own will and wholeheartedly dedicating ourselves to the service of God. By seeking the things of God rather than our own desires, we discover the true essence of righteousness. (Sections 1-2)
II. A Descriptive Journey: Drawing inspiration from the Epistle to Titus, we embark on a profound exploration of the renovation or Christian life. Through careful examination, we uncover its transformative power under various special considerations. Each aspect is meticulously elucidated, providing a comprehensive understanding of this sacred journey. (Sections 3 to end)
1. Although the Law of God contains a perfect and beautifully arranged rule of conduct, our divine Master, in His wisdom, has chosen to train His people through a more precise method—a method that surpasses the mere observance of the Law. The guiding principle of this method is that believers are called to present their
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, for this is their reasonable act of worship (Romans 12:1). From this principle emerges the exhortation: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). The crux of the matter lies in our consecration and dedication to God. Therefore, our thoughts, words, intentions, and actions should all be driven by the pursuit of His glory. What God has sanctified cannot, without grave offense to Him, be applied to profane purposes. Since we do not belong to ourselves but to the Lord, it becomes clear what errors we must avoid and what purpose should guide every aspect of our lives. We are not our own; hence, our reason and will should not dictate our decisions and plans. We are not our own; therefore, let us not seek to gratify our carnal nature. We are not our own; thus, as much as possible, let us forget ourselves and our possessions. On the contrary, we belong to God; therefore, let us live and die for Him (Romans 14:8). We are God's; therefore, His wisdom and will should govern all our actions. We are God's; therefore, every aspect of our life should be directed toward Him as the rightful and ultimate goal. Oh, the tremendous progress of the one who learns that they are not their own and willingly surrenders self-rule and self-governance to God! For as obeying one's own desires leads to certain ruin, the only place of safety is to have no other will or wisdom than to follow the Lord wherever He leads. Therefore, let the first step on this journey be the abandonment of self and the wholehearted devotion of our minds to the service of God. By service, I do not mean merely outward obedience, but a state of mind where we strip away our carnal inclinations and humbly submit to the call of the Holy Spirit. This transformation, which Paul refers to as the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23), marks the entrance into true life—a transformation unknown to all the philosophers. They ascribe the governance of man solely to reason, believing that reason alone is to be heeded, granting it complete authority over conduct. However, Christian philosophy commands reason to yield and submit fully to