I’ve got a new truck. It’s a Honda Ridgeline, like the one pictured. I love my new truck. It’s well…new. I had my old truck for seven years. It had lots of miles and it was…well old. Old is bad; new is good. Right?
We can get excited about things new; like new life. Things like “old” and “death” we’re not so excited about.
When OC talks about “white funeral” today we don’t get excited. In fact, I got a little creeped. What is he talking about? As Christians, the concept of being “born again” is well known. And although a bit of a strange concept to us and Nicodemus, it’s essentially a good thing to our minds. But birth implies death. Verses about seeds dying so an eventual harvest can take place are not so popular. But as usual OC has a point. Sometimes we translate “born again” to “second change.” We’re fine with getting a new life; but not so willing for our old self to die and to leave our old life behind. Most of us can point to the day we “accepted Christ” or talk about our 2nd birthday. OC notes we should be able to specifically identify the day of our “white funeral” that point we “killed” the old man.
But he is saying more than that. He is saying that if we haven’t died to our old life; we haven’t been born again. If we haven’t had our “white funeral” we are “playing the fool with [our] soul.”
Romans 6:4 (New International Version)
4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
A mature person comes to the realization that death is as natural as birth, in the natural and the spiritual. I can’t say it any better than OC: “When you realize what the will of God is, you will enter into sanctification as
naturally as can be. Are you willing to go through that “white funeral” now? Do you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends upon you.”
Let’s decide to die and begin to really
Be blessed.
Nick
Be the first to reply