Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- July 28, 2010
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:24-25
Christ word’s can be counter intuitive and counter cultural. What He says may not make sense on the surface, but with reflection the Holy Spirit reveals His intent. For example, Jesus instructs His followers to experience death in order to multiply life. Each day our Lord calls us to officiate by faith our own funeral of self-superiority and self-interest.
Indeed, death brings life. Christ resurrected life brings life to disciples who die to self. We die to our old way of life to gain the Lord’s new life. We die to carnal living and come alive to Spirit-filled living. We die to earthy affections and enthusiastically embrace heavenly affections. We die to mediocre living and engage in abundant living!
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV).
If we want to multiply our leadership, we die to doing everything. If we want to multiply our influence, we die to selfish desires. If we want to multiply money, we die to greed. If we want to multiply our energy, we die to laziness. If we want to multiply disciples, we die to unfaithfulness. Jesus modeled the way by giving His life in service and sacrifice:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
If we want to multiply love, we die to lust. If we want to multiply our character, we die to sin. If we want to multiply our faith, we die to unbelief. Because of the death of Jesus for you—you die daily for Him. Because of the resurrection of Jesus for you—you come alive each day for Him. Your Master’s multiplication tables are based on the calculus of trust in Him. Your death invites His life in you to reign!
“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11-12).
What does my funeral for self-superiority look like? Is Christ’s life released in my life?
Related Readings: Romans 6:11; 2 Corinthians 4:11; Colossians 2:13;
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
