To Live Or To Die Or To Die To Live?

Saturday's Devotion (1-8-05)

"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17:33 (KJV)

Like I said before, I believe that this scripture has two different meanings. Let's talk about the main meaning first and the one that we can be sure of. When it says, "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it..." that is about the people who are living in sin and don't want to give up their lifestyle and let Jesus, live through them. Jesus, died on the cross for our sins and that works two ways, now we must die for Him. What I mean by that is that we must give up our ways and follow His. We must let Him live through us and we must stop living in our own ways. If we don't then we can't enter the Kingdom of God. Why? The reason is because only those who God, can see His Son in will be able to enter, because His Son = the only righteousness we have and without Christ, we have no righteousness. Man + Sin = death and Christ - man = life everlasting. You have so many people in this world, not willing to give up something sinful in their lives for Christ. They're not willing to live a different way for Christ, who came to earth and lived a far different way for them and then died for them. We're talking about the Son of God, coming down from a glorious and joyful place to live down here with us and to eventually die for us. We owe Him that same deed. It's time that we give up our lives for Him. When you do this, not only will you truly save your life, but you will have a more full and joyful life in Christ.

Let's talk about the other meaning, that I believe this scripture has. The Word of God, is alive so I often believe that scriptures have more than one meaning. In the last days those left behind and not taken up with Christ, will have one last chance. They can die for Christ or they can get a mark in their right forehand or in their forehead. This mark is called, "The Mark of The Beast". Whoever gets this mark, the government will allow to live, but there is a very bad thing that comes along with this mark and that is you will lose eternal life and be eternally condemned to torture forever and separated from God. Without this mark then they will execute you and you will gain eternal life with Christ, because you died for Him! Also without this mark you can not buy or sell food, etc, but as Jesus, said, "Man, can not live off of bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!" Forget the food and etc, forget life on this earth. Let's be able and willing to lose our life to save it (Die for Christ).

Now you have two different ways to die for Christ. The first option is a must, but you may not be here to have to die in the second option. If you take option #1 you definitely will not have to worry about being left behind. If you're not left behind, then you don't have to worry about taking the mark and going to Hell or dying and living eternally with Christ, because you will be with Christ! However, someone still dies for Christ, each and every day and we still must be willing if we must. If someone sticks a gun to your head and says, "Do you believe in Jesus?" remember that your answer counts. Are you willing to die for He who first died for you?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins and we forgive all those who've wronged us. Please help us to lose our life and let Christ, live through us and not ourselves. Also help us to be ready and willing to die for your name if we have to. We fully want to be in the joy of your presence when this current life is over and will do what it takes. In Jesus, name. A-men!

God bless!

Hope you enjoyed. Please post your thoughts on this topic, on the message board or in our Guestbook.