4-23-21 THOUGHTS

The CONTEXT of the following passage area is so large we can hardly comprehend it.  The CONFLICT of our LORD that ended eventually in a bloody sweat and a rugged old cross is present. The word PURPOSE, used by Jesus is verse 27,   thunders through eternity! The subject is MANKIND, the time considered is ETERNITY.  GLORIFICATION IS THE PROCESS, and our SALVATION IS THE RESULT!.  LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY IS THE FOUNDATION!   DYING... DEATH to produce FRUIT,  is GOD’S SYSTEM.  The PRIMARY application is Jesus FOR US!  The SECONDARY application is ME IN ORDER TO TRULY LIVE!

John 12:23-28    And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24  "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25  "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26  "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 27   "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28  "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

This is so simple, yet it is OUR STRUGGLE for LIFE!  
Rom 12:1-3    Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
One said   ‘The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps trying to crawl off the altar.”
We may be discussing the most important process of our lives.  
WHO DO I LIVE FOR?   ME or GOD?  
Gal 2:20     "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

My Prayer:
Teach us to truly die to this world O God.  Remove us from ourselves that we may truly belong to You.  Help us to set our minds on the things above that are spiritual and eternal.  Help us to say “get thee behind me Satan” as we walk through this life.  Give us from your power, O Lord, that we may truly live.  Thank you for Jesus who saves us.     We pray in his name     Amen