have crucified the sinful nature with
with its passion and desire."
Galatian 5:24
We use words in strange ways. Take the word dying. Your daughter in tenth grade says she's dying to know the football captain of the neighboring high school. Your son in Little League might be dying to meet the national basball commissioner. Or perhaps you are dying to know what the loud quarrels next door are all about.
It's an exaggeration, to say the least, You're not really willing to kick the bucket or water bucket challenge in order to find out about your neighbor's problems, but there is one use of the expression that is no exaggeration at all. Are you dying to know the Lord?
The apostle Paul spoke of this when he said, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection . . .
becoming like him in His death." Paul realized that in order to know Christ fully, it meant crucifying the old man. Mortifying his sinful nature with all its passion. Nailing worldly affection to the cross. Reckoning himself dead to sin and alive to God.
We say we want to know the Lord's love, to feel His favor, to experience His joy and peace. we want to know His presence and His smile. But could we say we are dying to know Him? If so Jesus asks you to meet Him at the cross.
What does it take to know Jesus
in an intimate and personal way?
The Bible calls it being crucify with
Christ, but you could call it "saying
no to sin." Ask the Lord to give
you His resurrection power and
help you squelch anger, strife
gossip, and put a lie on those mind
games.
The power of Your resurrection,
Lord, is what I need when I say
"no"to sin. Let me become like
You in your death, crucifying
every passion that displease you.
I want to know You. I am dying to
know you.
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