For the love of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.
Are you living or dead? This is the question.
When we take a moment to examine our lives, we sometimes ask ourselves questions like, why did I just do that? Why I am where I am? Why don’t I have this or that? There are so many questions and pressures we put on us as Christians.
You may have been on the sidelines and in the wilderness for so long. You may think this Christianity thing is not for you. This life is too hard for you and since you have been a Christian, things have been so hard. You are ready to give up. You have allowed your sins and mistakes to control your life and how the Lord can use you. There is a lot for you to do. You’re worthy in the kingdom of God.
The Lord says,
”My child, why are you allowing your circumstances to dictate how this battle should go? Why have you laid down your weapons and declared defeat? Is this battle won through your strengths? Is it won by your mastery of weapons or by your abilities?
The enemy has confused you. You think you are alone and that you fight this battle by his rules. The enemy may have outsmarted you, but it is over for you. You have fallen prey to his tricks and his bluff. God is going to use this to promote you.
If you believe in Jesus Christ, you have died with him. What the devil did not plan for was your decision to die to yourself. He does not know that it was always the plan for you to resurrect.
My opening question was, are you living or dead? Have you ever watched cartoons or films where someone gets shot or killed? They stumble and stagger as they talk in slow motion, but they never seem to die? This is what we do as believers. We acknowledge Jesus, but we insist and fight to live our lives the way we want according to our will. As a Christian, you have died. What is the difference you say? One you have not died and so you are the one who lives. As a Christian, you have accepted death and have risen in Christ and so it is no longer your life or will that dominates, controls or compels your life but His.
Resurrection comes after crucifixion. Your new life is now found in Christ. To live, you must die, and to die means it is no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you. “It is no longer your life but my life that I live through you, says the Lord.”
God’s grace sets you free. It is not what you do right or wrong that qualifies you. Lay aside condemnation, fears, failures, and the recognition you seek from man. Die so that you may also rise with Him.
We have pretended to die so much that it is normal. We do our thing. Make our own decisions and choices and say it was God. Was it? Or was it that flesh forcing it’s will? Recognize that Christ when you separate and limit yourself with rules and regulations that are not biblical, you are only benefiting sinful desires. Die to yourself so Christ can live through you.
