To be saved from death and hell is a gift of enormous proportion. Regardless, the full benefit of The Cross is not just the vital aspect of Jesus Christ’s payment for our sins, it was also the death of our old selves with Him.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
~ Galatians 2:20
~ Galatians 2:20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
~ 2Corinthians 5:17
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
~ Colossians 3:3-4
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
~ Colossians 3:3-4
Beloved, G_d does not want to improve our lives. Not one bit. He wants to destroy the old life and make us into totally different breeds. No longer are we just homo sapiens, living and dying sentient bio-chemical machines. We become rather – by His Grace – fully constituted human beings. We become that spirit-creation He ever designed to walk this planet, ever glorifying Him and simply having more fun than we ever expected possible.
It is a complete phase shift. Nothing is the same. Certain patterns and waves in our lives are recognizable for what they once were, but the energy travels in a completely separate space than before.
A pastor on the other side of the planet laid out this manifesto. Drink. Let G_d hammer through your spirit tonight, and make you a follower of Jesus.
§ Once I had to impress others. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I don’t want to impress, I only want to share impressive God-stories.
§ Once I wanted to change people’s ideas and lifestyles. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I know I can’t change others, or myself — only Christ can.
§ Once I thought I had all the answers. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I have more questions than answers. But I know Jesus. He answers gracefully when people call out to him.
§ Once I had everything under control, or thought I did. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I surrender all control to him who is in charge.
§ Once I talked mostly about God. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I talk more to God.
§ Once, people had to listen to me most of the time. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I make more time to listen to others.
§ Once, I had to know as much as possible. No longer. As a follower of Jesus, I don’t need to know as much as I thought I did.
§ Once, I enjoyed receiving more than giving. No longer. Now I am a follower of Jesus, and I experience the joy of giving and sharing with people around me.
§ Once, the complexities of life fascinated me. No longer. Now I am a follower of Jesus. The new challenge is to discover the simplicities of life and the mysteries of the ordinary.
§ Once, nothing impressed me much. No longer. Now as a follower of Jesus I see beauty everywhere. Every person that I meet is a living work of art.
§ Once, my life was rational, planned, and well-controlled. No longer. Now as a follower of Jesus life is a daily novelty in the loving arms of God.
§ Once I saw UnChristians as human objects that I had to convert. No longer. Now I only have to follow in the footsteps of Christ and let him touch their lives with his kindness.
§ Once I was a loyal servant of a formal institution, called The Church. No longer. Now I see myself as part of a radical movement of Jesus followers across denominational boundaries that form the true body of Christ on earth. His church consists of living, breathing, walking, talking, worshiping people whose lives are constantly transformed by the presence of his Spirit.
§ Once I lived in two worlds simultaneously, the religious world of Sundays and the ‘real world’ out there during the rest of the week. No longer. Now I understand that there is no division between secular and sacred. Christ is present everywhere. His grace turns every day into a sacred day.
§ Once I thought I had to take Jesus to nameless objects, called people. No longer. Now I know that he is there already. I only have to facilitate relationships and conversations where strangers turn into friends and where Christ can touch people’s lives in his own gracious ways.
Makala, this is one incredible post. I feel appropriately humbled about what my life in Christ is to look like.
I'm taking a few days off blogging, and recommended to my readers that they stop by here. I pray they will do so, and that your words will give them new directions in their faith.
(By the way, that photo is stunning. I just made it my new desktop background.)
I came 'cause Anne recommended you… didn't regret…. beautiful post… i'll share this on fb….blessings…