Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Never say “DIE”

Last month, I learned that my pancreatic cancer had returned. My oncologist’s first words were, “you must start treatment immediately.” Considering how quickly the cancer had advanced since my last treatments, I said 'no.' But more to the point, I have God's perfect peace about “going home,” an event some refer to as death.

But John says we “in” Christ have already “passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14), and will never die. As Jesus’ death is in the “past,” ours too. And as He lives, we too.

“Passed” (not “past”) means to move beyond. As long as we are on earth, there are things in the “past” we cannot seem to get “passed”—things that still affect us, even if only indirectly. In light of this, think again of Paul’s declaration, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new person. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Admittedly, this proclamation is somewhat elusive while we are bound by time and space. But after we “pass” out of time into eternity, our newness will be profoundly palpable.

4 comments:

  1. Greg;

    You are an embodiment of the 'good news'! In fact, you, and your blog, are full of the most profound good news any of us may ever come to know. Thank you!

    Love,
    Brian

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  2. thank you. And that is one of my favorite words, and truths, that we should embody the truth! In one way, the embodiment is Christ Himself who dwells in us. But there is another way in which people look at us and how we response to suffering and see that we embody the truth of suffering with Christ. I hope to embody this truth whether in life or death. brotherly love, Greg

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  3. ''Not, I'll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee:''
    Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889), British poet. Carrion Comfort (l. 1).

    Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm sorry it has taken this twist. But watching you endeavoring to embody Christ as you travel this road is inspiring. Was is Saint Francis who said, "Preach the gospel always. And if need be, use words."

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  4. Good morning Greg,
    As it was said of John the Baptist, "Though he performed no miracles, many people believed in Jesus because everything John said was true," it is true of you. Thank you for being such an effective witness to the truth. And all a witness has to do is to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." You have done that with grace and love, and I appreciate this. In contrast to the manipulated news media that spins, "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," into three interpretations of the events.
    I will continue to pray for you, and your ministry in the days going forward.
    Godspeed!
    Larry Q

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