Paul: A Model for Cross Discipleship Living
The great Apostle Paul struggled mightily with his sins, recognizing that, while dedicated to righteousness as set forth in the law of God and in his own heart, he failed to keep the law through the propensity to sin inherent in his humanity (Rom. 7:19-8:2). Sin has a grip on him he could not completely break! You can hear his anguish in these words, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" He follows this plea with a peon of praise, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Regardless of the theologians who say Romans 7 is pre-Christian and Romans 8 is for Christians, I still see both chapters at work in my life after 57 plus years of knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior. Though I will never be totally free of sin in this life I can increasingly be freer if I seek and choose the growth path of cross resurrection creativity!
Paul invested his life in spreading this message of freedom in Christ. Eventually, he was imprisoned by the Roman government. As he waited for the final disposition of his case, he wrote to his dearly loved church in Philippi. Commenting on the work of both friends and enemies who preached the Gospel of Christ for varied motives, including those helping and harming him, he rejoiced that Chris was proclaimed. Paul was convinced that Christ would be exalted both in his life and his death. He expressed this certainty thus, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." If he lives, he will be able to continue his "fruitful labor" for the sakes of his dear friends in Philippi and elsewhere. But death entices him for he desires, "… to depart to be with Christ, for that is very much better…." Paul’s heart is torn between, first, his work for Christ in the world and the love he holds for the people he has ministered to and, second, being in the presence of the Lord in whose pleasure and service he has poured out his life (Phil. 1:15-26).
We, like Paul, finally become aware that the only reason life matters is that we can experience more of Christ Jesus, do more for the Savior, draw closer to our Lord and share Him with others in Messiah Love. Conversely, we learn that the only reason we can face death … not only without fear but with excitement … is that we are convinced that seeing Him is the most precious, exalted, invigorating and phenomenal experience imaginable! Our hearts race knowing we are approaching that full and final revelation of our Divine Lord, Lover and Deliverer! It is this kind of expectation that makes the Cross Disciple an overcomer.
To him who overcomes I will give … (all things)! Revelation chapters 2 and 3
1 comment:
Thanks for nailing how most Christians feel in their daily walk. We are constantly being attacked because we still live in the world even though we are not of the world.
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