What does Death Mean to You

I've been thinking a lot about death over the past two weeks. I went to a wake on Friday (coworker's dad) that kept the thoughts about death alive in my meditations.

A friend recently said she likes to challenge believers 'to just act like a Christian.' I don't like to debate semantics, but the problem with telling someone to 'act like a Christian' is that no one can act like a Christian. That's why it's so hard... because to act like a Christian means I need to die to myself and put on Christ. That takes a brokenness, a humbling... and that has to be intentional.... and it can be painful... and sometimes in the depths of our soul it feels treacherous. I am crucifying my flesh....my will....moi.

Unless I humble myself and continually die in my spirit, I cannot partake of Christ, and as long as I remain alive (self sufficient) in that situation, I won't truly act like a Christian. I'll just be acting like ME acting like a Christian.

^{Rom 8:13"}For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..."

After James' sermon on Hell, I prayed that the LORD would cleanse us of the remnant of any sins that were found in the people left outside the city. Rev. 22:15 says, "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Oh, I hope your heart is tender to the work of His Spirit in this.... its not easy to see sin in our lives.... but that is what sanctification is all about. That is God's goal for us as long as we are walking on this earth. In fact, compare the list from Revelations with the acts of the sin nature that are in Galatians 5:19 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like."

After I asked for our repentance, I began to see things God still wants to change in me... found myself wrestling through the night about some issues from work where my attitude and fears are not right.... and by yesterday morning, I found myself discouraged .... but the LORD reminded me THE STORY IS NOT OVER! He will bring good out of the hard circumstances AND cleanse me in the process if I allow him to.

My inclination to this truth is to profess a total willingness like Peter did when he said "not just my feet but my hands and head as well" - even though he betrayed Jesus a few hours later. ^{(John 13: 9-11)}

This world has no grips on us.... Our situations, heart aches do not define us... Jesus, Defines us... and really, he is not surprised by our sin.... our defeat... and our need to die. I just constantly need to remember the truths that the way to glorify him the most is through death...

^{John 12:23-25}Jesus replied, "...unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."