I have a friend who used to say, every time somebody asked how he was, “It’s a good day to be dead.”
No, he was not a Klingon, or a descendent of Crazy Horse. He was actually referring to one of the most revolutionary truths in the Christian life. And truth be told, he wouldn’t just stop with the whole dead thing. He’d say, “It’s a good day to be dead, and alive in Christ.”
The truth to which he was referring is expressed most succinctly in Galatians 2:20. Here’s how the New Century Version translates it:
I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore — it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me.
The implications of Paul’s simple declaration are profound. It tells me what I have received in order to live victoriously in this life, and to fulfill my purpose for which God created me and saved me.
I have received the life of Christ (“Christ lives in me”).
I have received Christ’s faith (“the faith of the Son of God” – a possible translation).
And I have received Christ’s self-giving love.
There is no situation, no bondage, no need for transformation, no frustration, no failure that the life, the love, and the faith of Jesus in me cannot respond to with power. And the same is true for you, assuming you have trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior.
So how, then, do we apply this truth?
By dying. I have been crucified with Christ; now as I appropriate the meaning of that to my life, the old patterns of living and the old values lose their power.
By yielding. Christ lives in me! Now I continuously have the opportunity to let Him live through me.
By trusting. I rest on His strength, His faithfulness, His wisdom. And I know I can trust Him because He loved me and gave Himself for me.
Here’s how Becky Tirabassi describes it:
The deep, lasting change that we all seek can happen in an instant, but it doesn’t happen without an exchange. It is a transaction in which you relinquish your present life to the living, loving God and, in return, receive a new way of thinking, new courage, new appetite, and even repulsion towards something you previously held on to. It sounds incredible. And frankly, it is! So why do throngs of people jump at the chance for an outer makeover but lack any interest in achieving spiritual transformation? Are they fearful of the unknown or too addicted to temporary highs and quick fixes to enter into a long-term experience with God? Are they unaware of the incredible benefits and receiving a new life in Christ? There is a reason. Some people want the new life but aren’t willing to give up the old one. A new life that lasts for eternity is only found in death… to self (emphasis mine).
Yeah, it is a good day to be dead. And alive. And deeply trusting. There is transforming power in that exchange. And it speaks to whatever situation you find yourself in today.
Andy — you have always had a way of saying just what I need to hear when I need to hear it! AND, this is no different. I am trying hard to trust and let the Lord use His transforming power. My heart aches and I pray for His strength to rise soon and heal our families.
Very interesting concept, however it does encompass actually what Christians are anticipating.
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