"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked." - 2 Corinthians 5:1
While young, mom frequently took my brother and i to our Great-grandmother's home in Springfield, Missouri. Her house had a large wooden front porch with a metal glider and a wood swing. Inside had all the trinkets from her family over the years sitting in cabinets and on shelves throughout the kitchen, dining, and living room. In the winter, heat was from a single large grate in the floor; and in the summer, a huge metal fan provided a breeze from a dining room window. Outside, front and back, were flowers... a wonderful adventure through a jungle of aroma and beauty for any kid to explore. It was heaven on earth.
But once Elizabeth passed from this world, we no longer went to her home. Although everything remained as it was, without her being there... it wasn't the same.
The Apostle Paul was emphatic about our bodies being merely SHELLS which we inhabit for only a short time, and that a disciple of Christ no longer lives for the possessions of this world (which will soon pass away), but instead offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the One who has redeemed us.
Your body, like my great grandmother's house, is not you. You are what inhabits the dwelling. Yes, the dwelling exhibits attributes about yourself, and is our method of interacting with this world, but it is not you.
The entire basis of repentance is turning from living for self, and now live for God.
"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." - Romans 12:1
"Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;" - Acts 1:19
Understanding DISCIPLESHIP : Living as Christ
How can you or i survive without pursuing MY best interest? Without concern for MY standard of living or happiness? Focusing on the things i want out of life before growing old and dying...
We can easily see how each of us is entrenched in this direction of thinking, which has been our pattern since birth.
We live for our "body" so much that we act as if our body is who we are.
This is where FAITH is crucial: God promises to provide ALL our needs.
Jesus told us, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" - Matthew 6:25
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 *Not... first seek His Kingdom, then pursue your wants.
This is where Scripture is essential, it is where we LEARN of His promises and His faithfulness.
"For the Word of God is living and all-efficient, and much sharper than any double-edged sword, and it pierces to the separation of soul and spirit." - Hebrews 4:12
Through Scripture we learn a NEW way of thinking...
"Set your mind on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:2
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." - Philippians 2:5-6
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
Through His Word, we learn a new way of living, and through Jesus we SEE a new way of living.
A Kingdom of God's Love flowing from Him, through us, to others. We are called to lay down "my life" (seeking and serving my interests) for others... sacrificial love. No longer seeking and serving my interest (loving self) but instead loving God through loving others.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me." - Matthew 25:40
Most often we're told that the CROSS represents our commitment to go as far as dying for our belief, the potential of laying down our life for another if needed.
But let's examine this statement in harmony with all of Scripture.
Jesus declares, "If anyone desires to come after Me, they must deny themselves, and take up their cross daily, and follow Me." - Luke 9:23
If someone sincerely wants to be with Jesus, they must learn and imitate His ways.
They must deny living for self, and rely (by faith) on God's promises and loving provision.
They must lay down self ambition, and live sacrificially towards others.
The Cross represents more than death, it stands for "total sacrifice". Total sacrifice is obedience unto the Lover of our souls, as Jesus was obedient throughout His life. Despite how He was mistreated, even while being tortured, mocked, and executed, Jesus lived His life for our needs.
We are not merely carrying each day "the potential of dying for Him", but rather, living each day in total sacrifice for Him.
Once HIS, we live out the remainder of our TEMPORAL existence within this shell as a Living Sacrifice unto the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.
"Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." - Titus 2:14
"To live is Christ..." - Philippians 1:21
By learning the Bible, we pierce through the division (blockage) between our soul and spirit, renew our minds, and begin "Seeking first His Kingdom", while the things of this world grow strangely dim.
"But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." - 2 Peter 3:10-12
Please go and read Luke chapter 14:1-35
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