LIFE IN CHRIST

Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24). Beloved of God, the greatest principle of life is death. If a person is not ready to die for something, that thing will not prosper. Jesus declared; he that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal (John 12:24). Jesus was given a place at the right hand of the throne of God because he went through death, and resurrection from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). He gained the place of authority, when he came through death and gained resurrection life. He gave the believer access to sit with him in the place of authority. Much more, he gained for himself a name, higher than every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Ephesians 2:8-11). The Devil understands this principle, no wonder he has kept many in bondage with the “fear of death”. The truth of the matter is that the unbeliever is already dead in his sin (Ephesians 2:5). Scripture declares that Jesus delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15). Jesus overcame the devil through death; For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). Paul when he received the verdict from the prophet Agabus concerning his going up to Jerusalem answered, what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready, not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. No wonder he became the greatest apostle in his days. He declares; Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft (2 Corinthians 11:23). For a person to go far in the work of the ministry, he must be ready to die for what he has believed in. He must be ready to stand in the face of adversity. The three Hebrew boys knew this truth. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:16-18). The crown of life is not given to those who are in it for convenience. Jesus declares: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Interestingly, they that are ready to die are they that really live. The result of their life, whether it is short or long, outweighs those who thought it was better to be safe and live longer.When Abraham was ready to lose the life of his son, God swore by himself to bless Abraham (Genesis 22:16-17). We, the “New creation in Christ”, were made the seed of Abraham because of that act. What have you believed and to what extent are you ready to go for that which you have believed? Walk in reality! Shalom!