Dying to Live

There are questions I have to ask myself. Have I really been called to a particular work? Where does my heart’s desire lie? How important are material things? Can I lay everything down at His feet? Do I want reward, recognition or glory for myself? Am I willing to die to live? Is the Lord my exceeding great reward, or do I seek something else? Am I willing to lay aside good works in order to pray? Am I willing to say ‘Your will be done, not mine’?

As I start to seek the Lord’s face, I find He’s running to meet me, like the father ran to meet the prodigal son. The questions I’ve asked myself are not things that I have to strive for alone – for the Lord’s said that it’s a work that requires co-operation. It’s not only His work, but mine. It’s our work together.

Together we reckon the old nature died with Christ, and ‘Crucified with Christ’ takes on a new meaning. There’ll be no freedom or joy of resurrection until this first part takes place. It’s a daily, momentary experience that the Lord and I are in together. He shares my failures, troubles, difficulties and heartaches, and I share His strength, and patience, and new life.

He’ll whisper His words of unfailing love to me, as I lay my will at His feet each minute. This ‘dying to self’ releases Christ to truly live in me. It appears illogical and foolish, but it works. It sounds crazy, but it’s the perfection of wisdom. And the outcome is glorious life, as the transformation takes place in my heart, as surely as fruit comes from a seed that’s buried.

‘To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27).

Prayer: Lord, let me share that grace of Thine, Wherewith Thou didst sustain The burden of the fruitful vine, The gift of buried grain. Who dies with Thee, O Word divine, Shall rise and live again. Albert Osborn