This is My
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to
lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:12-13
The concept of laying down our lives for another doesn’t
just mean we are willing to die in their place.
It also means daily dying to ourselves by putting others first. So
often, I don’t do that. Instead, I hold on to my right to be right. I demand my way. My flesh wants to cry out, “But that person is
wrong. It will kill me if I don’t defend
myself.”, but Jesus says, “Good. Die. Let it go.”
Jesus is our perfect example of laying down one’s life. At
the cross He could have said, “I’m not going to die, I’ve got my rights, I’ve
got to make a defense, I’ve got to be understood, I’ve got to have my way!” But
He didn’t. He chose to die because He
knew without death there could be no reconciliation between God and man.
The only way you will have reconciliation between you and
that son or daughter that is estranged from you, between you and the mother and
father that doesn’t understand you, between you and the friend that betrayed
you or between you and the spouse that hurt you - someone has to die.
I have gone through times, and maybe so have you, where you
have been determined not to die, you are going to have your way and your of
point of view is going to be heard. It always ends up a bloody mess. We need to
just let go, give it up and just die and watch and see what will happen. The
sooner you choose to die the sooner there will be reconciliation and
resurrection in that relationship. Let go of the axe you are grinding, the battle
you are fighting or the grudge you are holding. Just give it up. Instead choose to die to self and say
whatever; Lord. I trust you. I’m going
to follow you like you told me to. I’m
going to die to my way so that You might take the lead because only then will I
find freedom and live the full, satisfying, abundant life that You promise to
those who believe.
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