Maker vs. Mirror: How To See More of God

Do you struggle to see more of God? Does He feel distant to you? Perhaps there is something occupying your mind and heart that is keeping God outside: the self. It’s actually amusing to me that one of the biggest hindrance to our greatest joy is the one we see in the mirror. And typically, without a mirror, we wouldn’t even notice it.

Not I, But Christ

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“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 9:23)

These verses seem to show that choosing Christ will always mean denying self. Likewise, choosing self will always mean denying Christ. It’s one or the other.

Therefore to take away this devious barrier keeping us from having more of God, it is not enough that we shatter the mirror. No—we must die to ourselves. This is the essence of humility.

“He shows much more of Himself to some people, not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition—just as sunlight cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.” -C.S. Lewis

If I Must Die to Self, Does God Really Love Me?

I think this is a valid question. If God’s love is unconditional, shouldn’t it be free? Why is there a cost? Why do I have to die to myself? Does He really love me?

Let’s get something straight: Yes He does! Of course the Father loves you!

If God did not love you, then He would not tell you plainly how to have life to the fullest.

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)

If He did not love you, He would not reveal so plainly the secret treasures that the world has been searching for!

“I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” (Isaiah 45:3)

If He did not love you, He would not love you first, and die for your sins, even while you were still a sinner!

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Jesus loves you so much that He made a way for you to have Him forever. Yet to enjoy this gift fully, there is one condition. Now of course, if it did not cost us anything at all, it would sound better. But that’s not what Jesus teaches. Living in this fallen world and in our sinful flesh, we must cut something off in order to enjoy God as He ought to be enjoyed. Our hearts were made to be devoted to only one thing. But if it not God, there is something else—and it must be cut off completely.

Is It Worth It?

Before you grumble at the thought of sacrificing something, consider first the reward: infinite soul-satisfying joy, peace, and love in the all-sufficient, all-powerful, all-wise, gracious and loving God and Creator of the universe, forever! Really think about it: you are to inherit riches worth trillions upon trillions multiplied by trillions more, in literal unlimited supply, for eternity.

Isn’t it that you, O helpless mortal, who owns nothing more than what was merely given to you—isn’t it that anything you could possibly sacrifice would virtually cost nothing compared to what you are to gain in Christ? Infinite joy, peace, love and perfect safety in God’s presence for trillions of years, at the cost of laying down your life—which is far shorter in years, I might add—is like paying 50 cents to own 100,000 mansions each worth $10M! Half a dollar is barely a cost compared to what you gain. Denying yourself is nothing compared to the riches in Christ you will gain, all by sheer grace.

I mean, seriously—is any of this a reality to you at all, dear believer?

We are vessels made to be filled with God. That is the way we were designed. But there is one thing that fills us by default, by nature: the self. Yes, that proud, unrelenting evil that seeks to kill and tear down others for personal gain.

Not only does the self prevent God from filling us up and making us whole, but the self is destroying us. Talk about compounding loss.

So now, the choice is yours. What will it be?

How To Die To Self

If you are to choose life, you must die to self. How do we practically do this? Here are some steps you can take:

1. Start by repenting of your sins. We must wholeheartedly agree with and submit to the truth that no one is good, not even one (Romans 3:10). Yes, certainly not even I.

2. Confess your sins regularly—everyday—to God and to mature, godly leaders and church family you are accountable to. This is a powerful way to die to self. If it kills your pride to be honest about your sins, if it feels vulnerable, then it is a good sign that you are on the path to true freedom. Dying to self will feel uncomfortable, but it is the path to true healing (James 5:16).

3. Love others. Remember what Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).” It is impossible to love others without dying to self. 1 Corinthians 13 is a great place to learn how to love:

   • being patient (dying to the need for immediate gratification),

   • being slow to anger (dying to the urge to be quick to complain),

   • not keeping a record of wrong (dying to the need for revenge)

   …and so much more. I recommend this 22-minute sermon from Pastor John Piper for a wonderful picture of what it’s like to “hate the self, and love your neighbor”.

4. Lastly, pray. Pray often. Pray every hour. Pray constantly. When we are in constant communion with God, whether on our knees, or in our minds, we acknowledge that we are dependent on Him, rather than ourselves. Do not be afraid to ask Him for big and small things, and train yourself to thank Him for everything!

When God becomes the Source and the End of all our days, our stories, our experiences, our lives, only then will we know the freedom of a quiet, selfless life, and the joy of being filled with the love of an infinitely kind and gracious Father.

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