Jesus said, “If you would gain your life in this world you must lose it.”
What?! I must lose my life? That’s right. You must lose your life.
But I just told you that I don’t want to die!
Then you’ll need some help. No….that’s wrong. You don’t even want to participate, so someone will have to kill you off, by themself.
That someone is the living God.
He kills you in baptism (Romans 6), and He kills you with his perfect Law.
This is done so that…He may raise you to new life. You didn’t really think that God would create a masterpiece on a canvas that was already scribbled all over, did you? Of course not! He wants a blank canvas.
So, out with the old Adam, the sinful self obsessed idolator…and in with the new person, totally justified, clothed in the perfect white robe of Christ.
It’s gotta happen, this death. God demands a death from us. It is the price owed for a sinful life. The wages of sin is death. It will either be paid in full, here, in your baptism and on the cross, or it will be paid for all eternity when you are judged on the last Day.
Well, I think I’ll take my death here if you please, Dear Lord. Kill me and raise me with your perfect Word.
– Steve Martin
Filed under: Dying to Self |
The Old Adam Lives! 
Qustion:
What are the ways that you think the death that Jesus is talking about can come about?
Can we help to bring about this death in any way?
I think this death has to do our attitude towards the self justification project, and not the death of our doing wrong.
I like where you’re going with this blog, Steve!
What are the ways that you think the death that Jesus is talking about can come about? Can we help to bring about this death in any way?
It’s all about the cross! We don’t “do” anything but repent and receive forgiveness through Christ and the Cross. What he did for me in baptism and what He continues to deliver to me through the Eucharist; living in His salvation for us through the cross as it’s delivered through the sacraments…that’s all we “do,” if it can rightfully be said we’re doing anything.
Blessings in Christ,
Adam
Adam,
Thanks for the encouragement.
For many, many people, this just doesn’t seem right. It can’t be that easy. There’s no emotion necessary, there’s no action necessary, there’s no…nothin’ necessary.
“I’ve got to show I’m serious. I’ve got to make an effort to be faithful. I’ve got to …X,Y, and Z”.
“Now there. I’m involved in this salvation project. I feel much better”
– Steve.
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