I did not say he was dead. I said he was dying and would
be dead. Legally, you are correct. He is alive, but it should be
obvious to anyone that you can be alive and at the same time be dying.
As to the scriptures, Jesus said take up your cross.
I have interpreted that in a way that you consider incorrect, but the
term tells me to die to self, bury the old man and be a new
creature. The fact that the devil is constantly trying to revive the old
man is probably not scriptural either, but it happens, and I have to
nail the old guy up again and again. I know my sins are
forgiven, and I know that I do not have to sin. I know that if I
do, He will forgive me. We are in total agreement there, but If knowing
all that should cause me to kick back in my Lazy Boy and relax, then I
am missing something. How does one earn crowns to cast at HIs
feet while simply sitting there?
Dear Terry,
There may very well be (in many cases such as your friend's) a long painful
time of disease and deterioration of the body prior to death. I certaibly
don't deny that. But one who has a week to live is not 50%, 75% or 95% dead,
they are alive! They die when the soul and spirit leave the body.
Scripture never ever etaches that we are in a "dying process" nor
are we
ever instructed to crucify ourselves! BTW crucifixion is one means of death
by which it is impossible to commit suicide! You might get the one hand
nailed but then you could not nail the other!
Scripture never ever instructs us to crucify the old man! It does command us
to "put off the old man with his deeds" Col.3:9
The fact of scripture that we are dead to sin does NOT mean that we are
never tempted! It DOES mean that there is NEVER a time in a Christian's
experience when he or she HAS TO SIN! We are no longer under sin's
dominion.
The fact of scripture that we are dead to the law does NOT mean that we are
sinlessly perfect, it DOES mean that EVERY CHARGE THAT THE LAW HAD AGAINST
US HAS BEEN SATISFIED AND THAT WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED. Therefore, the law
has no claim against the believer who has trusted in Christ. As II Cor.5:21
declares, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we
might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
Acknowledging and believing (resting upon) these foundational facts of
scripture give tremendous power to the child of God when tempted to sin!
But if a believer, when tempted, thinks that he is still alive to sin (i.e.
has to sin because he is still under sin's dominion) and still alive to the
law (the law has many charges against him which have never been
satisfied)...he is deceived and therefore will live out what he actually
believes! His life will be one of continual defeat. But knowing the truth
will set him free!
Your brother in Christ,
Bruce
>From: "Terry Clifton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Dare you to read this II!
>Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 07:23:13 -0500
>
>Bruce:
>
>I thought I had communicated so that anyone could understand. Evidently
>not. Too bad.
>
>I have a dear friend who has cancer. In the past three months, he has
gone
>from two hundred pounds to 137 pounds. From a big robust man to a bag of
>bones. He will not live another week. He lives now in terrible pain. Tell
>him that dying only takes only an instant.
>
>Since many people die from old age, and since we begin to age at the time
>of
>conception, I would say that we begin the dying process when we begin to
>age, before we leave the womb. Dying is a long time thing.
>
>I am not yet able to love everyone, every moment, as I love myself. No
>matter how hard I try, I am not certain that I always do work for other
men
>the way I would do it for my Lord. That is a daily struggle. I must
>consciously decide to crucify the old man and live for the Lord.
>
>Evidently, you are no longer tempted to sin. Good for you. I cannot say
>that.
>
>Terry
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