Death & Resurrection

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Word (rapid reading and studying). This has been a great season for me. I’ve not had time to share any of the things I’m learning. Today, I take the time.

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?......If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. ……Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:1 – 15. Click here to read the entire passage..

Sin, I could talk about the definition of sin. Grace, I’ve been studying grace anew and could talk about all that grace is, all that grace accomplishes, and all that grace enables me to do. Suffering. Death. Resurrection. Christ suffered, died and rose from the grave.

What does that mean to me in daily life? There are many different answers to that question. One thing it should mean is that I have also suffered, died, and risen to new life. I am called to die to sin (and that seems to often require a bit of suffering) and to walk in resurrection power. (Eph 1:19,20) I have crucified the old man, and my life is no longer my own. (Gal 2:20)

The longer I walk with Christ, the more I realize that so many of my sins, my temper tantrums, my funks….come back to self. The sin I wrestle with most is self-centeredness. I need to daily die to self.. I desire things. I desire results (in school, in relationships, in finances). I desire to sit around all day and read.
During this season, and throughout the year, a loving Lord is calling me to follow Him into death. Why is it so easy for me (and possibly you) to claim the resurrection power, the enabling grace, the benefits of salvation…..and skip right over the dying to sin, death to self, and crucifixion of the old man part? Death must come before resurrection.

I must not “let” sin reign in my body. This implies that *I* have a choice. Hmmm…you mean the little red man with the pitchfork isn’t totally to blame for my selfish sin problem? I should be doing something? Yes, I will willingly and daily die to sin. I will CHOOSE to offer my body to RIGHTEOUSNESS rather than wickedness. I recognize that I have ALL that I need to walk a life of godliness. I must die to self and walk in LIFE, LIGHT, LOVE, the SPIRIT, WISDOM – I need to walk worthy (all from Ephesians). I must daily choose to walk under the influence of the Spirit rather than under the influence of sin and self. I must offer my entire being wholeheartedly to HIM; rather than offering my self to SELFISH SIN.

I often draw laughs in new groups of Bible Studies by answering the question that so many have (and eventually voice): “WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MANY CHILDREN”. My short answer: “God knew it would take children whom I love dearly to cause me to die to myself.” All usually nod, as they reflect on how they also will sacrifice self for the good of their children. I follow up by adding, “I appear to be more selfish than most, and therefore, I need more sharpening than most.” I did not have patience when I was 20. I was filled with anger. I was filled with self. (Once a young girl (5 – 6) ran up to me and said, “Miss De’Etta, Mom says you are selfish!” Evidently the daughter had asked, “Why does Miss D have so many kids and we don’t?” ::snort:)

Parenting and homeschooling are the tools that God has used in my life to call me to daily die to self. I love both. Both are incredible blessings. Both are incredibly costly (budget-wise, time-wise, ministry-outside-of-home-wise).  Parenting and homeschooling have required me to daily give up my needs, my wants, my desires, my plans and instead walk in his resurrection power. Beware of trying to resurrect on your own. I must surrender to the work of His Spirit in my life. I must always remember that it is in HIS strength, His power, His Spirit that I can begin to walk in a way that brings glory to Him.

I believe God put me on a “fast track” in the Word so that I would be FORCED to read for ME and not for writing and teaching. LOL But, this once, I think it was "ok" to share. I had to write an Easter Post anyway. LOL