• Choosing To Die Daily

    By: Kristen L. McNulty



    Reading through the Bible we find a lot of talk about love and grace and mercy and forgiveness and these are things are easy and comfortable on the most part to talk about. But there is also another theme that runs through God's Word, one that is bound to make most of us a little uncomfortable and that is the theme of death.

    Reading through the sacrifices and the deaths in the Old Testament could make even the strongest of us a little queasy. Then you have the crucifixion and the brutal death that the Son of God endured so that we could have life. But the story of death doesn't stop there. Over and over again in the Word of God we are called to die, not so much in a physical sense, but die to ourselves, our desires, and our will. Let's look at a few verses:

    "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there." (Galatians 5:24)

    "If we die with Him, we will also live with Him." (2 Timothy 2:11)

    "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen." (2 Timothy 2:10)

    In order for Christ to come to earth and redeem us from our sins not only did He have to die a physical death, but He had to die to His human instinct, that surrival instinct that surges through our veins. If you and I want to follow Him wherever He leads we must be willing to die to ourselves as well.

    So what does this look like?

    This looks like starving the flesh by saying no to sin instead of feeding it every chance you get.

    This looks like choosing to suffer because it's right or it's what Christ would have done instead of taking the easy way out.

    This looks like separating yourself from things that will take you down as a believer, even when it's unpopular or you end up standing alone.

    We as believers have two choices- follow Christ no matter the cost or follow ourselves and our wills down a slippery slope that leads to us up to our necks in the sins that destroy us. God doesn't force any of us to make the right choice in this area- He gives us free will to do what we want. And if you want to follow Him down the path of holiness and righteousness, that choice starts today. It starts with choosing to do the right thing, no matter how small the choice may seem or how inconsequential the consequences appear.

    Taking a look at Colossians 3,

    "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not only think about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

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