"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3 NASB1995)
Years ago in youth group, we held a funeral for self. I bought a cardboard coffin from a local funeral home and we all talked about how all our fleshly desires ultimately lead to death. The altar response was epic; kids weeping and snotting and confessing. We touched heaven that evening. At the end of service, students took turns taking photos in a coffin as a reminder; they died to self that night. I’ve never forgotten it.
Yesterday, the Good Doctor called. She told me about her preacher who had moonlighted in a funeral home to support his ministry habit. The experience changed him: “Dead men are never tempted.” They aren’t moved by an urge to lie or cheat or lust. They aren’t lured into initial bites by a sneaky snake. Temptation has lost its influence on dead flesh. Can you picture it?
Then, this morning I crack open the Good Book to this scripture and I know it’s not by accident. See, my flesh is still very much alive. I have a will, desires and an opinion. (Always an opinion!!) But my loving God asks me to live dead; totally surrender to His will, desire and preference.
Over the years, I’ve come in contact with a few cadavers. You know: they have a way of staying where they’re put until they are intentionally moved. They don’t wander off or object to the conditions. (If you’ve seen Weekend at Bernies, you know!)
Living dead is a stretch for us all, but scripture is clear about the benefits. When we learn to live to our earthly nature, we awaken to our divine nature. We start to grow up into the children of God we are invited to be.
"You have taken off your old self with its practices and put on the new self who is being renewed in the knowledge of the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:11-10 NIV)
Lord, help us die to self today. Let temptation fall off us cold. Instead, we long to live as christ; fully committed to Your way and will, grateful for another opportunity to be transformed. Amen.