Daily Dying (Daily Living - Part 5)

Walking with Christ is a daily matter. I hope you are enjoying this blog series on daily truths for the Christian life. (If you are just joining us you may begin the series here.) For me, this emphasis has been a reminder that I need the Lord every day. And every day there are principles that I must apply in my walk with Him.

One irony of the Christian life is that it is not about life only – it is about death. It is not just the death of Christ for our sins on Calvary. It is more than the final physical death that precedes our entrance into Heaven. It is a daily dying.

At the risk of sounding morbid I want you to know that daily dying has been one of the most wonderful truths I have ever learned! In truth, I am still learning it. Every day.

The Lord Jesus explained this truth to His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Following Christ requires daily death to self.

William Borden wrote in his private notebook, “In every man’s heart there is a throne and a cross. If Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross; and if self, even a little bit, is on the throne, Jesus is on the cross in that man’s heart…” Christ is worthy of the throne. We must take the cross.

Paul testified of this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.” Indeed he faced daily peril from those who wanted to kill him. But Paul knew the spiritual reality: he understood what it was to live as a dead man. In the verses that follow it is clear that his eyes were on eternity and not this world. Only the cross can do that.

I find it interesting that Paul’s reference to daily dying comes in the chapter on the resurrection. Death is the way to life. The cross serves as the doorway to the empty tomb.

Lester Roloff expressed it best when he said, “The first thing I do every morning when I get out of bed is jump in the grave!” He meant, of course, that he had to die in order for Christ to live through him. The secret to daily living is daily dying.

Daily Challenge: Begin every morning by meditating on the truth that you have died with Christ and Christ lives in you (Galatians 2:20). Before you get out of bed pray, “Lord, I take my cross. I count myself a dead man. I am yours. Live your life through me today.” Allow the truth of union with Christ in death and resurrection power to lead you into each new day.