We Always Carry… (#189 of 365+)

I have to admit that sometimes, from the viewpoint of the world, we Christians look like we're carrying around a corpse. We don't appear to be having fun or enjoying life at all. We must be
missing something on days like those because the apostle Paul said a Christian life lived right is attractive and contagious. It should change people's hearts when they watch us live.

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you” (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

As Joni succinctly explained, carrying around the death of Jesus means “putting your flesh to death with its itchiness to rebel”—to die to sin—not just for our own good but for the good of others. Living this way exposes the life of peace, joy, and hope Jesus has given us. This isn’t just light and fluffy talk… Jesus really died for our sins and he conquered death when he rose from the grave. So believers have the power of the resurrection in us! By his Holy Spirit there is nothing we can’t overcome. Will you believe that today? Will you put your faith in Jesus?

Lord, you are my source of life and you know everything about me. You know my every need. I ask you to be my strength not only when I think I’m weak but all the time. I don’t want to be overwhelmed, I don’t want to feel defeated, not today or any day. Make my life a bright, shining light on a hill that will bring glory to your name. Amen.