Death and Living

 We will never be willing to live for Christ if we are not willing to die for Christ"

             There is a biblical principle that reveals to us we cannot live the Christian life except we be willing to die.  This is shown to us in John 12:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit." If that kernel of wheat dies and then brings forth fruit, there can no other option but to conclude that something must die before it can live.

So, what does it mean to "die for Christ?"  To die is to become dead to any cause, any circumstances, or to relinquish the selfish life.  If I chose death, I chose to disallow any circumstance that God places in my path to affect me with a negative perspective in my reflection!  My friends, this even includes accepting the action or reactions of the "self-righteous works of the flesh" that brethren in duress may express: Self-love, Frustration, Worry, Quick-tempered, Harshness, Meanness, Doubt, Discord, or Selfish Control.

The second part of dying for Christ is to relinquish life.  This deals not with our relationship with others, but in our ability to give up our rights (the only rights we have are those He gives us to give back to Him anyway) through allowing Christ complete control, direction, and ownership of our lives.

My Life, Lord, is yours to control.

Mike Williams