DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

 

TO LIVE IN CHRIST

We know that we who have been

baptized have been baptized into

his death so that we might rise

with him. The words may be a little

different from those of Paul, but

the message is the same, if we are

willing to accept it. By accepting

our baptism, we are choosing to

live a life of faith, remembering

the sacrifice of Jesus. It's a

willingness to die to self, not easy.

Of course, for Paul the dangers

were more immediate, and for

many Christians today, that hasn't

changed. But some have said that

it would be easier to die once for

our faith than to have to die every

day. I hope I never have to face

that possibility, but having just

written that, I think I do have to

face that and we all do. We all will

need to face death one day,

whether or not it comes suddenly

or after a lingering illness. We will

have to face the reality of death.

Will we be at peace, even joyous

that we will be with our God? Or

will we be fearful, our faith tested

for a final time? This is Satan's last

chance to get to us. Hopefully, by

dying with Christ in spirit, and

living in him, our faith will be

strong when it is time to die with

Christ in the flesh.

PRAYER

Loving God, we have willingly been

baptized in the death of your Son

Jesus. Help us live in him so that

we will be ready to meet him at the

end of our earthly lives. Amen.