Wanted dead, not alive week 12, 2014

What would happen if I told you must die today?

“Ah, don’t you wish me well? I don’t want to die o. I am still agile and very useful, my family needs me. I have many things yet to accomplish. Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead---and that is where you are going Eccl 9:10(GNB).  I can’t die now.”

You have many things to accomplish? Your work will not be finished until you die.

“Who will complete the work when I die then? I cannot trust those I am leaving behind to do my wish. I know when anyone dies he cannot work again, I know. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me; night is coming when no one can work Jn 9:4(GNB).  That is why I don’t want to die so I can finish them.”

You don’t understand. God’s work in you cannot be complete until you die. For Jesus’ work to be completed He had to die. When he tasted the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and died Jn 19:30(ERV). God needs you to die now. You want to live long? Death has to grip you. God wants it.

“I beg your pardon! God definitely plans for me to live long. I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him my deliverance Ps 91:16(ISV). ”

It is not a physical death I speak of. Jesus died physically. We have to die to self. This life you live now, so full of “I, I, me, mine” must die. Have you not learnt what Paul said? I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me Gal 2:20(ASV).

“I am uncomfortable with this talk. How will this Christ life manifest in me then?”

 Ah! Good question. Death is the instrument God uses to bring it on. While we are alive, we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be clearly shown in our mortal bodies 2Cor 4:11(ISV).  

What do we work at; revival? It is when I die that revival comes. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day Is 2:11 (KJV). As long as “I” live revival waits. The fight to live is basic, deeply rooted in the make-up of every creature; it must go. What work are we called to; increasing disciples? We need to die. It is a fact that a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die before it can grow and produce much more wheat. If it never dies, it will never be more than a single seed Jn 12:24(ERV).

“Is that not referring to Jesus only, speaking of his impending death on the cross?”

 Ah, my dear, you are seed: the good seed are the children of the kingdom Mat 13:38(KJV). Die like He did. Yield your spirit; give up your life into His hands.