I don't want to die

I have been surrounded by death more than usual the last couple of years. It’s more on the front radar of my brain. It’s definitely normal given the circumstances and who it was that has “gone on” in my world. I came to this realization that I really don’t want to die. I know that sounds silly. I know we all will die unless we are on earth upon Jesus’s return. I know all the truth of scripture and the promises that await. I think deep down somewhere I think “this” is better in some way. My inner man knows that’s absurd but my flesh tries to hold on to control in this world. The tension Apostle Paul had on this matter is what we all should hold but most times I don’t.

Philippians 1:21-26 CSB states “21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

That is the correct posture we should hold in this life. It is the tension the believer should live with.

As I was pondering on the phrase “I don’t want to die” I thought about another vantage point. I don’t want to die daily to my fleshly desires. The christian life is all about “dying” and “denying”. Here are a few of the many scriptures that paint this picture:

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Luke 9:23-24 “And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”

Romans 6:6-7 “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.”

No one stands in line and says “I want to die”. We are called to daily deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow him. When we lose our lives for his sake we find life. Here’s the secret….CHRIST IS LIFE. I(we) want the safe and nice parts of Christianity but that’s not true and full life in Jesus. I heard Acts 1:8 quoted so much in my home church and it states “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Interesting fact about that verse is the word witness in the greek is where we get the word “martyr” from. In that time being a follower or witness of Jesus was so synonymous with death that people begin using the term martyr when it’s simply being a witness. That is a challenging thought to Christianity of our day and time. Again, I don’t want to die, but I must.

I have no idea how this random thought will hit you but I pray it at least makes you think. Share, comment and like this if it intrigued you haha. Welcome to what floats through my brain.

Until next time

Demetrius