December 29, 2024 Devo

I rarely wear a suit anymore. In fact, pretty much the only times I do are funerals and weddings. But when I do wear a suit, I always have lots of compliments from people who aren’t used to seeing me that dressed up. Most of the comments come from many of our older gals in the church, many of whom are widows. Whenever they tell me how handsome I look in a suit, I respond, “Well, all you have to do is die or get married again!” Most decide I’m not THAT handsome!
What would YOU die for? Jesus is obviously referring to His own death in our passage today. His death would pave the way for many in the world to find life. He certainly felt as if dying was worth the return. Would you if you were in His sandals?
Let me bring it a little closer to home. Forget physical death for a minute. Are you willing to die to parts of yourself if the return would mean a great gain? I was thinking back today to a stretch in my life where I was pretty selfish. I put myself first: Above my wife, above my family, even above God. I didn’t think of it that way. But that’s how it was. I can tell you with complete honesty that as God revealed that to me and helped me die to that selfishness, I became a much better husband, father, and child of God. I now walk more closely with my family and more closely with my God than I ever did. All I had to do was die.
What “deaths” need to happen in your life? What deaths would cause you to grow or be a better person or ambassador for Christ? How about a habit you need to die to? How about an attitude or two that needs a good funeral? How about your own selfishness level? My guess is that for many of us, the new family we want, the new person we want to be, the new walk with God we truly desire is right there within our reach. All we have to do is die. That’s God’s Word for you today.