No Longer “Dying to Live”

“Past” is a noun that refers to history, as in these converse statements: “he had a rich past,” or “he regretted his past.” Whether memorable or regrettable, we cannot live in the past: what’s passed is in the past.

But having become the recipient of “new things” in Christ: behold I make all things new (Rev. 21:5), we must be diligent and deliberate in leaving the past behind—every day. This is the “dying to live” principle by which I have sought to live my life, however ineffectively. Perhaps it is because I have so many unspeakable things in my past that I have made every effort to “die” to what-was in order to “live” to what-is.

Because my failures in this pursuit far outweighed my successes, I relish the day when the truth will be reality—the day when I will no longer be “dying to live.” I will have left the past behind forever.

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.

Thrill Seekers and Risk Takers

Have you seen this bumper sticker: “Live to ride. Ride to live”? It is the bikers’ motto.  This is, of course, an attitude that expresses a greater human ideal—living for what you love to do.

We all have to do a job to make a living, but it may not be what we love to do. So we live for the moments we get to spend on what we love to do–gardening, carpentry, hang gliding, rock climbing, skydiving, etc. To call them hobbies or leisure pursuits falls short—these are passions.

Some of these activities are risky, and,  however unfortunate, people sometimes die for the love of doing them: the private pilot’s small plane crashes; the rock climber’s ascent up a mountain peak proves to be fatal; the thrill-seeker’s parachute doesn’t open (last year we held our breath and prayed a lot when our daughter jumped out of an airplane for her 25th birthday!). What is it about human nature that makes people willing to risk death for what they love to do?

Is there a challenge here for us who claim to be willing to die for our faith? Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the Auca Indians of Ecuador, took a risk for something he loved—sharing Christ with those who had never heard the Gospel. Shortly before his death, he said: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." But I think the question is not so much are we willing to die for Christ. It is, rather, are we dying to live for Christ?

Are You Dying to Live?

In my last post, I made the statement that I am “heavenly,” no longer defined by “earth’s” standards. I sincerely apologize if anyone read any pride into that statement. In my defense, I did NOT say I ‘act’ like a heavenly person (ask my wife or children about that!), only that I know my position in Christ is a heavenly one. We have been born from above (1 John 5:1) and are told to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2). The question that remains is: how do we live a more ‘heavenly’ life, as those who have been raised up (resurrected) with Christ, while we are yet living in this earthly realm?

Certainly, every serious Christian wants to experience more of Jesus’ power, more of His love, more faith, more patience, more obedience, more purity—Paul calls it ‘resurrection’ life (Ro. 6:4). But, like Jesus, we cannot be raised up without first dying. We cannot experience “resurrection life” until we have died to the old self, (Ro. 6:6), died to the power of sin (6:11), and died to the world’s strong influence over us (Gal. 6:14). And this death is the greatest freedom anyone can ever know (Ro. 6:7).

After all, what can you do to a dead man? You cannot offend a dead man. A dead man knows no fear: there is nothing that can threaten him. A dead man can’t get angry, anxious or depressed—or need therapy!

Those who ‘know’ they have been crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) will be the freest persons in this world: they ‘rise above’ every earthly trial and affliction. They are “over-comers” (Ro. 8:29).

One of today’s most popular preachers tells his congregation you have to have a "never say die" attitude if you are going to receive the promises of God. I find that so ironic that he has chosen the phrase “never say die” because that is exactly what has to happen if you are going to live in the realm of Jesus’ resurrected life and experience power from on high!