Continuing with yesterday’s discussion, I tend to agree with Rex, that the term enkrateia carried such connotations in that culture that it was hardly useful.
I think that “self-control” and “self-discipline” carry some of the same connotations. Principally, I think they convey an idea of reliance on self that goes beyond what the New Testament writers wanted to convey. Just as Plato was uneasy with the idea of achieving “temperance” through the self mastering the self, we should be equally wary of any teaching that places the responsibility for man’s sanctification squarely on man.
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” may be a popular concept in our culture, as is the idea of the “self-made man,” but that’s not the image of holiness that the New Testament presents. Christians become more like Christ as the Spirit works in our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). We are able to do what the Law requires not by leaning on ourselves (our flesh) but by following the Spirit’s lead (Romans 8:4). We live by the Spirit and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25) thereby producing the fruit of the Spirit.
And part of that fruit, according to Paul, is self-control. It’s not about control of the self by the self, but rather man submitting his self to God’s control.
Does that relieve man of all responsibility? By no means, for we see that man must choose to follow the Spirit’s lead, that he must learn to not resist nor quench the Spirit. And this is a lifelong process. We grow in sanctification; it isn’t thrust upon us. We become more like Christ, day by day, if we follow the Spirit’s lead. When we follow our flesh, this sanctification process is stymied.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)
“I think that “self-control” and “self-discipline” carry some of the same connotations. Principally, I think they convey an idea of reliance on self that goes beyond what the New Testament writers wanted to convey.”
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” may be a popular concept in our culture, as is the idea of the “self-made man,” but that’s not the image of holiness that the New Testament presents.”
“And part of that fruit, according to Paul, is self-control. It’s not about control of the self by the self, but rather man submitting his self to God’s control.”
Tim, I know it is hard for those who claim “God indwells them personally” to accept that your salvation depends upon “YOU” and your inner spirit/ mind/conscience, what ever you call it, working with God,
Jhn 8:9 And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Tim, I know this happened before you say the holy spirit was given to all, but this did not.
Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
“we should be equally wary of any teaching that places the responsibility for man’s sanctification squarely on man.
There are many more scriptures that say we are in control of our furure.
There is no place for a “pull yourself up by your boot straps” mentality in the Christian faith whether we are talking justification or sanctification. While we need to be led by the Spirit, which I believe requires us to make a choice of obedience to being led by the Sprit rather than the flesh, Richard Hays also suggests that believing the truth of the gospel also comes into play. After surveying Paul’s writing in Romans and Galatians, Hays writes, “For Paul, God’s transforming act in Christ conditions all of reality. Insofar as we perceive the truth about God’s redemptive work in the world, we will participate gladly in the outworking of God’s purpose; conversely, if we fail to act in a way consonant with God’s will, we are living in a state of contradiction: we are failing to understand what is going on about us” (Richard B. Hays, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics,” New York: Harper Collins, 1996, 39).
Grace and peace,
Rex