Sunday, February 01, 2009

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

i always read this verse in my head and pictured myself saving a fellow bro or sis or stranger on the road from behing hit by a car, and in turn getting hit. i always thought i'd readily die for someone i loved, and then think again if the situation really comes, would i really do it?

but today the message convicted me so much because i learned something new about it. its not about physically dying, but rather, really dying to self for the sake of other people. and i never read this verse in that light before. think about this from a human point of view. if you die to your SELF while you are still alive, you are not being yourself! isnt that like living hell??!

but here we are talking about living like Christ,
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! " (phil 2: 7-8)

to live is Christ, to die is gain. (phil 1:21)
this verse now also has so many multiple meanings to me. when i live, i have to be the christian. and a christian's life isnt always about joy and happiness. we will too, go through Christ's sufferings, burdens and sadness. (and that is for our good, so we grow and all) so much so that even dying becomes a gain because we'll meet our God in heaven where he'd say "well done, good and faithful servant".

Paul himself wanted to die because he could be with God straight away. but he also had to stay on earth to fulfil his mission in reaching the Gentiles like us, setting an example, asking us to imititate him as he imitated Christ. that is the reason behind "to live is Christ, to die is gain".

Death here is expressed very deeply. . a death to self, to being like Christ.

Dear Lord, you amaze me. please help me to be exactly like you. there are times i ask for only 20%, but i really want to be exactly like you now, even if it seems impossible. help me to be crucified with you, not just you being crucified for me. help me open my eyes to the little things that i can help with in the lives of other people. help me to minister to my friends. help me to die to myself, and also for the ones i love. and when i become more like you, to "die" even for my enemies.
help me too to not let the knowledge i've gained from you be a stumbling block to others. help me to manage wisely when to apply your knowledge, and when to be still and just let your spirit and love guide me.
let your love compel me to all these, amen.

im feeling "suicidal" now.

Posted by keithc at 6:12 AM