Pastor's Pen

Death has followed the Apostle Paul since the early days of his ministry. It all begins when he gave up his former life, was born again and the old man was killed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” What followed were numerous death threats, near- death experiences and the daily battle of dying to self. The Apostle Paul was familiar with death and guess what, so should we. It all begins like it began with the Apostle Paul as we give our lives to the Lord. The old man is destroyed, and God creates a new creation, “the old has gone, the new has come!” Then, as we identify with Christ, we come to the realization that our lives are hidden in Him as Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Inclusive with this is the daily battle we face as the Spirit battles against the flesh. The Apostle Paul said that he needed to die daily, 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, “I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Blessings-
Pastor Joe