I am glad that dying in Christ...in reality...is actually far simpler than discussing what it means and what it entails. Which is why I believe God gave us the analogy of baptism so that we may have some true insight into what in fact takes place. We must also remember that baptism is a parallel to Calvary, both having some distinct commonalities. All of the contributors to this discussion have hit on these things here and there, and I think that in essence there is more in common between you all than you may realise.
@Episkopos ,
@marks,
@Hidden In Him , you all have mentioned certain aspects of this whole concept of death to self, so if you please, allow me to join the dots so too speak and see if I can make some sense of the whole.
Baptism...death to self...is something we must first choose. It must be a real-life and death decision we must take on board with real life consequences. It is true that it isn't just a theological construct, but a decision that results in change. And if death doesn't result in change, nothing does. It changes first the one who dies...and changes literally
everyone else around him. From family to hospital staff...from funeral directors to the family lawyers who deal with the estate.
Everyone near and far is affected by death more than any other life 'life' experience. Of all realities in this sin-sick world, death I believe is the most tumultuous heart rending emotional roller coaster ride anyone can experience...and that is when we observe death in others, but when we face it ourselves? When we
choose to die...when we
choose to take up our cross and follow Jesus...that is, that must, be the most momentous decision we can make. Jesus chose to die...lay down His own life...willingly gave Himself into the hands of His tormentors...that others may live. And that my dear friends is what we also must choose to do. But God, in Whose hands we offer ourselves, is not a tormentor. We are placing our lives in the hands of the one Who gave Himself for us. This is what I believe is death to self. It is surrender. It is giving up. It is facing and finally dealing with the absolute reality that
without Me ye can do nothing.
We cannot place ourselves on that cross. Nor can we baptise ourselves. Someone else must crucify us...someone else must lay us down into the water. Someone else must resurrect us, as someone else must raise us up out of the water. It is true that God speaks of things that are not, as though they were. I believe that this was how creation came about. God's creative power is found in His word. He speaks...'stuff' happens. But God has stipulated and I'm sure for very good reasons, that when it comes to appropriating that same 'stuff' for ourselves, that 'stuff' (like imputed righteousness etc) must be appropriated by
faith. This is the only way. It is through our complete belief, and acting upon that belief, (like through submitting ourselves to baptism), in God's creative power in His word, that we are literally born again and become new creatures. So
@"ByGrace" was onto something when she said,
"Let Us Draw Near…"in FULL assurance of faith.."
Time we believed what The Word has told us… “For Ye are dead, and our new life is hid with Christ in God “
But we must remember...there are consequences. There must be consequences. Death has consequences. Our faith in the creative power of God has consequences. It changes us. It changes those all around us. And if it doesn't; if all we are doing is discussing a theological concept and debating terms and conditions, without any of it having any real life consequences that affect not only us but our family, our friends, and the people we interact with day in day out, then we are not dead. And we need to be. Because if we aren't dead, we can't live.
So, what are these changes that death brings? Well, that's actually quite easy to answer.
All those things that the former carnal man couldn't do, the new creature can, and does. Period. 
