For This ReasonSample

For this reason, I DIE  

The night I gave my life to Christ, one of the first things I did was call a man I considered to be instrumental in my coming to Christ. I can’t remember what time it was, but it was at an ungodly hour of the night. I still remember his sleepy voice as I shared with him how I rededicated my life to Christ and asked Him to save me. Honestly, it was like the 32nd time I prayed this prayer, but I was finally at the end of myself.

I had chosen a lifestyle of drugs, drinking, partying, promiscuity, and disrespecting authority. I got a really good taste of the world and realized it had nothing to offer me. I had the revelation that Jesus was the only thing that could satisfy me.

There were a lot of encouraging things said in that late-night conversation with my friend, but something that has always stuck out to me was the phrase, “You’re in the fight now!” He went on to share how God had a calling on my life, and that now I would need to fight for that calling.

And so do you.

The good news is, the battle was won by Jesus Christ on the cross. Through the power of Christ in you and me, we are able to overcome and live a different story.

The actualization of overcoming is realized day by day as we die to ourselves. Every day we have to make the choice to get the hell out of our lives and to bring heaven in. You and I were born with Adam’s spiritual genes. Sin is in our blood. If you’re wondering why God set it up this way, author Brennan Manning explains God’s intent: “To be alive is to be broken. To be broken is to stand in need of grace.” Our hopeless nature highlights our desperation for a savior. It’s all about grace.

QUESTIONS:

1. REFLECT: In what ways can I die to myself today?

2. APPLY: In what ways can I extend grace to someone else today?

3. PRAY: Jesus, I thank you for the finished work of the cross. Thank you for choosing to use me, despite my shortcomings. Help me love and extend grace as I have received so freely from You.