When Death Loses it’s Grip

by Senior Leader Ruth Brudnicki

Does death really sting?  That all depends on your citizenship.  We all fear death to some degree.  1 Corinthians 15 tells us that the sting of death can only come from sin, meaning that true death can only happen in the absence of Christ. Paul describes believers as citizens of heaven, our mortal bodies simply waiting for Jesus himself to transform them into a glorious body, just like His.  So why the fear then?

Faith is not for the faint of heart.  Jesus, speaking to Martha after her brother Lazarus died, said “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  If we’re honest, it’s not an easy question to answer. We only know the right answer because we read the book! Martha didn’t have that advantage and walked away, probably just like you and I would have.  Just as we have been given the gift of salvation by faith, so our gift of eternal life is given to us by faith.

Our steadfast allegiance must be to the Lord, regardless of what we face in our mortal bodies.  Yes, that means we will have to make some tough decisions. What has to die in you? Fear of people? Your pride? An addiction? Your lack of self worth?  Our “flesh” has to die in order for our spirit to live.  Paul’s mysterious words beg our attention… “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Death lost it’s grip on Paul.  It’s time for us to cut ties with that ugly, fearful spirit of death and walk away once for all.   Death to ourselves is exactly what brings us life!

Make no mistake.. If the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then that same spirit who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body because of his Spirit who lives in you.  You can bank on it!