How to Pray for Spiritual Growth book - section on Truth

Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,

The beginning chapter of this book sets the stage for the rest of the chapters of "How to Pray for Spiritual Growth" principles.

"For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25) - Jesus speaking

The author of this book believes that the meaning of this scripture is that "If we are to die to ourselves, it is our false selves to which we must die" and further that "Through inner healing Jesus discovers our true selves."

The author also believes that, often throughout history, Christians have misinterpreted Jesus' words. "The point of what Jesus is saying in Mt. 16:25 is that by following His way we ultimately will find our true selves." The author writes "It is when people see Christians putting to death their true selves that "death to self" becomes repugnant to them. And it should, under these circumstances! For when Christians put their true selves to death, while many of them are motivated by the highest goals, they are not following the teachings of Jesus. Their lives may be very religious, but thay are not living the way of spiritual growth, the unique view of life Jesus taught and lived."

I must admit this is a bit of scripture which has always been very hard for me to understand. I always thought it meant dying to my own plans." To see things in terms of "false self" and "true self" changes my perspective on even "my own plans" In the "true self" God's plans and my own plans could possibly be aligned. Maybe that is why there is the necessity for inner healing where Jesus discovers our true selves. To help us see this synthesis of "plan making" and "carrying out of plans." Of living the way of spiritual growth, the unique view of life Jesus taught and lived.

Do you think we have "true selves" and that we can also fall into the situation of having "false selves"? Have you already wrestled with this and found some solutions? Does the author's interpretion of this scripture passage make any sense to you? Why or why not?

God's Peace,
Sharon