Deadly Living

Life is not fair. Everybody hears this, even thinks it. We feel entitled to freedom,  independence,  happiness, life, health, wealth, etcetera. We think we deserve these things because we are all that matters. To be completely honest, in the end, most of us will get what we deserve. When God created man in the Garden, we were declared good by Him, but then man sinned and all of creation was completely and utterly corrupted. This same sin is imputed to every single human being, and because of this, because we sinned against an infinitely holy and just God, it takes a whole eternity to realize the depths of our depravity.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23)

This is a very depressing picture of the state of humanity, but this is a reality that can never be understated. We are sinful, and nothing we do can ever make up for this sin: no religious ceremony, no set of rules, no incantations, nothing.

God saw this hopeless state, and in His mercy and grace offers a way out. He made a way out to bridge the gap separating us from God. He sent His Son to die for us, dying a bloody, humiliating, violent death. This gruesome death and judgment that was reserved for us and deserved, He freely took on Himself. The only thing required is repentance and His forgiveness will cover our sins. This is simple, but it's not easy, it means surrendering everything to Him. Everything. All of your plans, all of your relationships, all of your dreams, everything. These things can still be sought after, but not for us, but for Him.
²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,^[a] and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. Luke 9:23-24
 This is very difficult and very few will be able to do this because we are so hardened in our sins, our selfish pursuits and ambitions, just our selves.
¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because^[a] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14
Dying to self. This is what He requires. This is completely impossible to do on our own, but when you give your all to Him, He gives you all of Himself. When you come to Christ, His Spirit comes into you and gives you the strength to take away your self-centered life. While it is difficult, the reward is well worth it, eternal life in the presence of the great Lover of your soul, the Good Shepherd, the Everlasting God.