To Die Is To Live

John 12:23-26 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

In Romans 12 we are exhorted to present our bodies as living sacrifices. A sacrifice was put to death and offered up to God. How can we then be both dead and alive at the same time? Well, it is not as complicated as it sounds. In Jesus' case He allowed Himself to literally be put to death in order to purchase our salvation. Just as a seed first has to die in order for a plant to grow and produce fruit, so Jesus had to die so that a great harvest would be produced, as we put our trust and faith in Him for eternal life. However, this truth of death and life did not end at the cross and the tomb. Today, that truth still lives on as we, who are born again followers of Jesus, are called to die to self and this world and live for Jesus. We are called to take up our cross daily and crucify the flesh and its desires. We are to take up our cross and crucify our worldly desires that draw us close to, and make us friends of, this world. For when we become friends of the world we position ourselves as enemies of God. If we want to gain the most from this life, and gain the most heavenly reward, then we must die to ourselves each and every day. We must live unto God, and faithfully follow Jesus until we become absent from our bodies and present with Him, or until He returns to get us; whichever comes first. Let us never forget that to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).