Die in order to live
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
What it means to “die in order to live”
The above Bible verse sums up the whole meaning of what it means to die in order to live the life that Christ has called us into.
Many of us are yet to die to self. Despite the fact that we are Christians, we still live with all the baggages we carried before you gave our lives to Jesus. The moment you give your life to Jesus, the unhealthy old habits, lifestyles and other negative traits in you ought to naturally begin to drop out of your life, as you immerse yourself in the study of God’s word.
Unfortunately, many of us are either too busy to even study the Bible, others just find it difficult to bring themselves to study it. The implication is that the baggages will remain. They will remain because we’re ignorant of God’s position regarding the issues of our lives, our spiritual growth and our walk with Him.
It’s no wonder many of us still go on living like those in darkness when we’re meant to shine the light of Jesus anywhere we are. Instead we disappoint God on daily basis with the terrible mess we make because we’ve just refused to grow spiritually. Making messes is a character trait synonymous with babies. Certainly, a believer who isn’t growing in the knowledge of Christ will constantly make a mess in everything and everywhere.
Some of the bagagaes many believers are yet to let go of
1. Pride
At first glance at the word pride, you would simply tell yourself that you’re not guilty of this evil. Nonetheless, I urge you to examine yourself more closely. What are your motives for doing the things you do? If it’s so you would get noticed and perhaps praised, then you need to prayerfully shove the evil element called pride out of your life. Pride is subtle yet remains the deadliest baggage any believer would carry.
Isaiah 2:12 “The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled). “
2. Unforgiveness
Many are guilty of unforgiveness. Even when you try to convince yourself that you’ve forgiven that man or that woman for the hurt or pain they caused you, deep down in your heart you know it that you still habour bitterness against that person. No one who bears brudges would ever have his/her prayer answered. Unforgiveness is too huge a baggage to carry.
Forgiveness is an act of self-interest. You don’t forgive someone because of what it does for them; no, you forgive them because of what it does for you. Remember that you would not earn God’s forgiveness for your own sins if you find it difficult to forgive people.
Mathew 6: 14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
3. Disobedience
Many of us also have no problem with blatantly disobeying God’s word in the way we live. The only condition for God’s blessings is complete obedience. Hence, anything short of total obedience would attract God’s wrath and curses.
Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Some of the many other baggages we still carry are:
- Strife and Contention
- Malice
- Jealousy
- Lust
- Lying
- Anger
- Cheating
- Gossip
- Slander
- Bribery
- Unfaithfulness
- Faithlessness
Finally, you need to die in order to live in Christ. Die to self, die to the flesh and be free from these baggages. God’s word does all the cleansing in us and frees us. It opens our eyes to how God wants us to live. Therefore, make the necessary adjustments to accommodate spiritual growth. Only then would the baggages we carry find their way out of our lives. Remember that no one would see God’s kingdom with even just one of these baggages. Don’t let your years of spiritual labours all go to waste.
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Scholar Odum is a digital content/freelance writer, blogger, teacher, and former news contributor to the Life Magazine of the Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria.
We really need to die to this killer called self.
Well done, thanks for the reminder