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Old self vs. New Self: Or Ils Rentrent Quelquefois... - 8/21/2008 3:07:48 AM
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aslouie
Posts: 710
Joined: 5/15/2005
From: Los Angeles, CA.
Status: offline
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For the Christian life of me, I've been constantly reminded of the NT message of putting on the new self (in Christ), in lieu of the old self, which I don't have to remind anyone here how haphazardly hard it can be. But recently during a Sunday sermon, a couple of art house film analogies comes to (my) mind:
In Shin Jingi No Hakaba (a.k.a. Graveyard of Honor), I am constantly intrigued by the side character's narration of the the protagonist, still living in spite of the fact that his soul departed from him (the latter was supposedly shot dead during the film's climax), yet still clinging on to life, refusing to accept the reality of his (the main character's) death.. only to finalize it in a prison suicide.
On the other side of the world, I came to acknowledgment of some intellectually-French take on the zombie genre (sans the traditional gore factor  ), called " They Came Back," not to be confused with the Stephen King "franchise!"   In this story, the recently departed turn-recently resurrected are being fraternized by their loved ones, trying in vain to deny the fact that the deceased are no longer their warm-blooded, living selves: in short, refusing the reality of death.
Film Synopsis below:
http://www.amazon.com/They-Came-Back-G%C3%A9raldine-Pailhas/dp/B00094ARXC
When I factor both films into spiritual focus, I can't help but be reminded of how much my old, sinful self still won't accept the fact that I've moved on, even with some occasional relapses into my old news self, like it's only functioning as at best, a shadow of my former, spiritually cruder self; at worst, a metaphorical walking corpse who won't accept the times definitely have a-changing!*
*No disrespect to Bob Dylan 
Hmmm... I guess that's why at my more, cool-headed juncture of godly living, I've always been leery of my cadaverous old self, trying to come back for more... seconds, thirds, or any other subsequent (self)-helpings to a buffet that no longer exists, much less relevant, like how I relate with my bachelor status, which hence leads to those mundane rituals of self-comparison, envy, rage... the whole rotting platter et al. I don't know about everybody else's walk with God here, but part of me knows that it's going to take more than the proverbial shotgun (or small arm of choice) and put some slugs into that thick skull of that legally-deceased past part of me!
Your thoughts?
< Message edited by aslouie -- 8/21/2008 3:16:11 AM >
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RE: Old self vs. New Self: Or Ils Rentrent Quelquefois... - 8/21/2008 10:40:40 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2075
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Dead Man Walking. . . sounds so familiar.
I appreciate your thoughts and truthfulness. I will give another example that has to do with discipline.
I was in a store yesterday and heard young children screaming. These young ones were deliberately making high pitched screams. . . for 'fun'. This went on for a long time with no parental action. I'm sure everyone in the store was made uncomfortable by the screams yet the parents appeared unconcerned and unwilling to take action.
As I checked out, I saw a number of Amish families with young children. These children were quiet. There was not a sound coming from any of them.
So the other children are strongwilled, right? And these are not? That's what many today believe.
No, it has to do with discipline. The Amish children know what they can and can't do.
So with the old man and the new man, we need the same kind of discipline, don't we? If we know that wrong behavior will meet severe consequences we will act accordingly. Our earthly fathers were supposed to discipline us for our good and to teach us to act properly so our heavenly Father wouldn't have to use so much correction. Many have not experienced earthly correction so reject and rebel from it in any and every form.
I grieve for these children for their battle with the old man/new man will be harder. They have not received the training and correction to help them in the battle.
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