The Three Selves

…The unique self is that part of a person that was made in the womb by God (Psalm 139)…although we all have the same purpose in life, which is to fellowship with Him, we will all, as unique creations, express that fellowship in different ways.  I will, therefore, define the unique self as the creation of God that is distinctive to each person…

…you can think of the unique self as a tool that can do nothing on its own, but derives its value from how it is used and by whom…

Self #1 is the unique self under the control of Adam-life; this self belongs to the unbeliever, or unregenerate man, producing a condition called flesh…God’s command concerning this Self #1 is that it be crucified (Galatians 2:20).  The source of the unique self, what is driving it, must die, but not the actual unique self.  Self #1 has a course set in one direction, and it follows every signpost which leads it that way.  Its destination is hell.

The second of the three selves (Self #2) is the unique self under the control of the baggage and residue of the dead and removed Adam-life and the unholy trinity.  This person is a born-again believer in a carnal condition…This person is assured of going to heaven, but will continue to experience hell on earth!  The command regarding this self is to deny it daily (Luke 9:23) by the power of the cross.

Self #3 is very important, being the unique self under the control of Christ’s life within.  The man in this state enters into the fullness of his being.  All of his God-given talents, abilities, intellect, personality, and temperament function properly as they should, and he manifests a condition called walking in the Spirit.  Whatever work the man does, Christ does through him, and he is a blessing to all…The commandment concerning Self #3 is that we are to love it.  “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19).

You can see that it is somewhat confusing when we read that we are to have self crucified, to deny self, and at the same time we are to love ourselves.  The above distinction should help clear up the confusion.  We have spoken much of the death of Self #1, and particularly in the next chapter we will examine the denial of Self #2.  I would like to briefly mention the need for love of the unique self as it submits to the Spirit’s rule, Self #3.

- Mike Wells