We must decide about whom our lives are going to be lived–and then live our lives accordingly. Will it be Christ? Or, will it be us?

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
9 In his heart a person plans his course, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Are We Willing?

Are we willing to let God use our lives as a catalyst for conviction in a person’s life? Are we willing to give our lives at the Spirit’s request? Is it really about Him? Or, is it really about us and our lives–and deaths–counting for Him the way we think they ought? Is there ever a wasted death? Does the Father, who knows when every sparrow falls (Matthew 10:29), not know when a saint dies–and how and why, and are under His care? Is not the death of His saints precious in His sight (Psalm 116:15)? Our obedience is based on our faith. So, where is our faith? Do we really believe that God can use our deaths for His glory regardless of how it happens? If we do, then 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 takes on a whole new meaning:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

In order to understand these weapons, we have to couple this passage with one in Ephesians:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

We fight against rulers and authorities and principalities and powers of darkness; we need spiritual weapons! These weapons are truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, knowledge (both the intellectual and experiential kind), and the Word of God. We also need a constant and consistent line of communication between us and the Father (prayer). With these weapons, we can pull down every stronghold and take every thought captive. It may not save our lives, but God can use our deaths for His glory even as He uses our lives–sometimes, better!

I am reminded of what the apostles did when they came back from being flogged:

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Acts 5:41

Abba, would that I be counted worthy one of these days. Whether it is highly publicized or in secret, glorious or ignoble, You know and the person(s) know; make my faith like the Rock on which I stand. Make me strong in You, and may You use my death to pull down every stronghold in that person’s life and set Him free, just as You did me, Abba. Lord Jesus, may my life count for You in life and in death. I have an inkling of what is awaiting me on the other side, and I’m ready! Amen.