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Monday, June 15,
2009
Life After Death
Acts 1:1-3 The former treatise have I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until
the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had
given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (3) To whom also
he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God: (KJV)
The things that took place and were being
referred to in the above verses were not things that took place during the
life of Jesus of Nazareth, but were actually the things that took place
after his death, a time when he continued to minister to the people. So
just about the time the devil and his workers thought they had this man
crucified and left for dead, well, let’s just say that’s when another
ministry began to come to life so to speak.
Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the
life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of
God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)
You know, whether you like it not, in
order to have Christ come alive in you and experience a new life in Him,
yup, there is going to have to be another crucifixion taking place in your
own walk. This new life that you pledged to God that you would live is now
a life of faith, believing more in what the Son of God is doing within you
and less in what you think you can accomplish by your own thoughts or ways.
The Lord Himself would like nothing better than to be resurrected in you,
and show you things pertaining to His kingdom so that you can see and hear
it first hand for yourself, knowing who you are and where you fit into His
body of believers.
Luke 9:23-25 And he said to them all, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For
what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or
be cast away? (KJV)
Is there life after death? Oh absolutely;
in fact it is an eternal life to those that find it and then follow this
path to the end. But in order for you to live someone has to die, and that
would be our old sinful nature that hinders this new life. After our Lord
was crucified He resurrected, and for 40 days He was showing the people
that there was a new life available to them also, and that this new life
would be a Spiritual one, bringing restoration to a fallen mankind.
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past
ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past
in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the
mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (KJV)
The word ‘quickened’ means to make alive;
and at one time we were all dead in sin and trespasses. We were in this
fallen realm because we chose to hang onto our own lives, doing those
things that pleased self but were an abomination to the Lord.
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in
mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead
in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus: (KJV)
I am sure you have raised a few eyebrows
yourself, because you were just like the rest of the world, living a
worldly way, until one day you experienced a resurrection in your life,
allowing Christ to come in and raise you from this dead end. Once you have
been raised up, and are seated in a heavenly place with Christ, you are now
able to live by the faith of God’s Son; hearing the message of God through
Him and then walking a new path of life that was ordained by Him.
1 Peter 4:1-3 Forasmuch then as Christ
hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same
mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That
he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of
men, but to the will of God. (3) For the time past of our life may suffice
us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and
abominable idolatries: (KJV)
As you grow and mature in the Lord, you
realize that there is nothing in this fallen realm that is going to bring
any peace or contentment in your life. You realize that things you thought
were beneficial in the past, were actually keeping you separated from the
life God had for you.
1 Peter 4:4-6 Wherein they think it
strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil
of you: (5) Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick
and the dead. (6) For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them
that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but
live according to God in the spirit. (KJV)
You know, the people who encounter you
these days must think it a bit strange to see the change in your life; to
see a person that was lost and left for dead resurrected, walking, and
talking about a whole new life they are living. Are you finding this new
life for yourself? Well, it can only happen when you let go of the old one.
Could it be, that is why the Lord said it was a narrow and straight path
that leads to this life and only a few that find it?
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is
Christ, and to die is gain. (KJV)
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