Christians claim to be “born again”. To be born again, one must first die. The ritual of baptism is symbolic of the death of our old self and The Spirit raising us again to new life.
So… How do you know if you are REALLY dead? Is the old you really buried and gone?
Aside from the obvious physical signs of life: breath, warmth, pulse, etc. What is the evidence of spiritual life or death?
Paul said in Romans 14:
“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (NIV1984)
Your old self is truly dead and gone when it is no longer struggling for survival in this world.
· When someone insults you, does your old self rise up in defense?
· When someone takes something from you, does your old self rise up to take it back?
· When someone oppresses you, does your old self rise up and seek an escape?
Jesus said:
Matthew 10:37-39 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (NIV1984)
If you do a New Testament search for the words: struggle, contend, strive, etc. you will find that they do not refer to the struggle for survival, but rather for the kingdom of God.
John 6:28-30 ”The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (NIV1984)
What is your struggle for survival today? What are you striving for?
Allow this world to finish off your old self. You will never be truly alive until you do.
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