The Courage to Die Well

Colossians 3:3.... “Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life – even though invisible to spectators – is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too – the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.” –The Message

Grasping this concept of the Christian walk is vital to our growth as a Jesus follower; the life through death concept. The only way that we have true life is through the death of Jesus Christ and the only way to really live out this true life is through the death of our sinful nature. Jesus has already done His part by dying for us, now it is our turn to make the choice to die to our selfish nature. There really are two deaths that bring the one true life of a saint.

So often we miss this “second death” of our self as part of the equation because we hide it in the grace that God gives so freely for salvation. Understand here I am not talking about salvation alone. I am talking about being a disciple of Christ (A Jesus Follower). For salvation, there is only grace through faith in the “first death”....the death of Jesus on the cross. I am saved only by His act of death and victory over death with the resurrection. However, to be a disciple and live the true life that I speak of, it relies solely on my own decision to put my selfish nature to death and follow the will of the Father. This is why the root word of disciple is discipline.....because that’s what it takes on our part. Sadly, many of us today have very little self-control and discipline. We are spoiled and still asking for more for ourselves rather than sharing what we have with others in need.

One of my favorite lines in the movie “Braveheart” is when William Wallace is in prison facing the imminent death, he prays, “God give me the strength to die well.” I think that should be my prayer more than I should have a safe and happy life on earth. We get fooled so easily into thinking that this world is our home. We forget that we are temporary visitors here, and that our prayer is to be “thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven”. When we live for His Kingdom, we have the courage we need to die well.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” -- Mark 8:35-36