But how different the life of a real Christian

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24 KJV)

 You know, this is a strange paradox that life will come out of death. Except you die, you’ll never truly live, just as the paradox, except you give forth, you can’t take in truly.
 Someone has wisely said that the smallest package in all the world is a man wrapped up in himself, and that surely is true. But how different the life of a real Christian, a dedicated Christian, where self has died! They’ve been crucified with Christ and they’ve been born again as new creatures.
 Paul said, it’s no longer I that live, “but Christ that liveth in me.” No more self-absorption, no more self-motives in life, but motivated by Christ within. He loses his life in larger interests, in the wealth of satisfaction from an outpoured life—an outpoured life instead of an ingrown life.
 If you are suffering the loneliness of the egoist, the one whose whole world is “self,” the one who never gets away from himself, then take this verse from God’s wonderful Word and ask the Lord to take you out of yourself and into Him. Seek Him; yield to Christ. Yield all of self, as that Word says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, which is holy, acceptable unto God.” And, he adds, it’s a reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) —Virginia Brandt Berg [1]

Give me the Love that leads the way,
The Faith that nothing can dismay,
The Hope no disappointments tire,
The Passion that’ll burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod,
Make me Thy fuel, O Flame of God. —Amy Carmichael

[1] Anchor A Life That Counts