Dead men have no rights
by Darren smith
Col 2: 20 If you died with Christ to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?
This is a question that holds great meaning to the Body of Christ. It also makes us take a hard look at our walk with Christ. If we are dead why are we still trying to live life as normal? Col 3:3 says for you have died and your life is hidden in Christ with God. Do you realize the power that unleashes in your life? If you are dead you have no rights, you can't offend a dead man, you can't kill a dead man he's already dead. The next time your offended just remember your dead to the elemental forces of this world so don't live as you belong to them!
The problem with the Church today is we haven't recognized that we are dead and we hold onto this world with all of our strength. Worse than that we feel we are entitled to most the world has to offer and if we don't get what we think we deserve then we are offended. Sometimes we are offended by those we think are keeping us down but sadly many become offended at God. Have you ever felt that you deserve better than you have? If your truthful you've felt that way at one time or other in your life, I know I have. Until God taught me that I have no rights in this world. Phi 4:11-13 Paul makes the statement that he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in whether well fed or hungry. This comes from being dead to the this world. In verse 13 he makes the point he can do all things through Him that strengthens me! In Christ, although we give up our life, we receive His.
Once dead to this world the sense of entitlement should pass away with the old man and the reality of inheritance takes hold. Inheritance from the Lord is far greater than the entitlement from man, is it not? One of the saddest things our culture has done is increase the sense of entitlement. From this we have convinced people to put their trust in the government instead of God. Just look at the failed welfare system that holds millions of people in a self created prison. We have several generations of people that have never lived a day out of this and don't know any other way to live. Is it any different than the bondage of Egypt that the Hebrews were under? When God took them out, at the first sign of trouble they wanted to go back.
Its easy to look at extremes but what about in our daily life, do we feel entitled? What about the pursuit of happiness? We must be entitled to that. Happiness depends on people, places and things. Joy is from the Lord and so is peace. Money or position cannot buy them nor can man rob you of them. It is easy to praise God when everything is going great, when your storeroom is full. But what about when its empty, how easy is it then? Many at that point become offended instead of looking at it as a chance to walk in faith and let God prove His power. Remember dead men have no rights! But those who are dead and have their life hidden in Christ Col :3 3-4 it is a chance for His glory to be revealed.
One thing I ask you to do is pray for the revealing of the present reality of Christ in our everyday life. For many, Christ is a theory not a present reality and there is no peace or power in theory but when you move from theory into reality, the power of God is unleashed in your life. We must live this to shine the Light into a world that is lost. Lets move from entitlement to inheritance and watch God work.
Col 2: 20 If you died with Christ to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?
This is a question that holds great meaning to the Body of Christ. It also makes us take a hard look at our walk with Christ. If we are dead why are we still trying to live life as normal? Col 3:3 says for you have died and your life is hidden in Christ with God. Do you realize the power that unleashes in your life? If you are dead you have no rights, you can't offend a dead man, you can't kill a dead man he's already dead. The next time your offended just remember your dead to the elemental forces of this world so don't live as you belong to them!
The problem with the Church today is we haven't recognized that we are dead and we hold onto this world with all of our strength. Worse than that we feel we are entitled to most the world has to offer and if we don't get what we think we deserve then we are offended. Sometimes we are offended by those we think are keeping us down but sadly many become offended at God. Have you ever felt that you deserve better than you have? If your truthful you've felt that way at one time or other in your life, I know I have. Until God taught me that I have no rights in this world. Phi 4:11-13 Paul makes the statement that he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in whether well fed or hungry. This comes from being dead to the this world. In verse 13 he makes the point he can do all things through Him that strengthens me! In Christ, although we give up our life, we receive His.
Once dead to this world the sense of entitlement should pass away with the old man and the reality of inheritance takes hold. Inheritance from the Lord is far greater than the entitlement from man, is it not? One of the saddest things our culture has done is increase the sense of entitlement. From this we have convinced people to put their trust in the government instead of God. Just look at the failed welfare system that holds millions of people in a self created prison. We have several generations of people that have never lived a day out of this and don't know any other way to live. Is it any different than the bondage of Egypt that the Hebrews were under? When God took them out, at the first sign of trouble they wanted to go back.
Its easy to look at extremes but what about in our daily life, do we feel entitled? What about the pursuit of happiness? We must be entitled to that. Happiness depends on people, places and things. Joy is from the Lord and so is peace. Money or position cannot buy them nor can man rob you of them. It is easy to praise God when everything is going great, when your storeroom is full. But what about when its empty, how easy is it then? Many at that point become offended instead of looking at it as a chance to walk in faith and let God prove His power. Remember dead men have no rights! But those who are dead and have their life hidden in Christ Col :3 3-4 it is a chance for His glory to be revealed.
One thing I ask you to do is pray for the revealing of the present reality of Christ in our everyday life. For many, Christ is a theory not a present reality and there is no peace or power in theory but when you move from theory into reality, the power of God is unleashed in your life. We must live this to shine the Light into a world that is lost. Lets move from entitlement to inheritance and watch God work.
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