In the last two parts, we talked about the problems of living in the extremes of (i) respecting his power and might, and (ii) ways of living in the Holy Spirit. Today, I want to talk about living in the tension between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
Over the years, I have chatted with people who stress the importance of living in the resurrection. Their point is that God died for our sins, and the implication seems to be that our only response is to accept His gift. However, I would offer a few scriptures that indicate this is not the only response. First, Jesus himself said if you wish to follow me, you must carry your cross and die to self. Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23, Lk 14:27, Mt 16:24-27. Second, in Romans 8:16-17, Paul tells us that we will rise with him if we suffer with him. We cannot live in the resurrection without the crucifixion.
In other conversations, people seem caught up in guilt. They seem stuck at the foot of the cross. It is true that the spiritual life requires an ever growing sense of self-awareness, a sense of accountability for the choices we make, and a need to carry crosses and die to self. At the same time, Paul, who persecuted Christians before converting, regularly spoke of the joy of being a disciple and apostle of Christ. [e.g., 1 Thess 1:6]. He lived a life of self-awareness in joy, gratitude, and thanksgiving.
To further this point, I would mention that there are many stories of saints who grew in self-awareness and greater love of God while meditating on Jesus’ passion. Therefore, it seems to me that when we meditate on the passion properly, we encounter God’s mercy; his love. Such encounters should amaze us and cause love and joy to well up within our hearts. In this, we see the fruits of the Holy Spirit playing out in our lives.
In closing, as I wrote this blog, I started to understand that maybe the only proper way of living the resurrection is through the crucifixion. I have found from my own practices of carrying crosses and dying to self, as I have practiced detachment from worldly things, I have become more docile to the Holy Spirit and more Christ-like in the world around me. I find myself experiencing more fruit of the Holy Spirit. I think that in these practices we learn the true meaning of the resurrection – life as a means of living, moving, and having our being in God. Acts 17:28.
Spend some time with the Holy Spirit reflecting on your own method of living in the tension between the passion and the resurrection. Do you find yourself consumed by guilt because Jesus died for you? Do you have a growing sense of self-awareness? Are you being drawn into a greater appreciation of God and his love for you? Are you practicing Jesus’ mandate to die to self and carry your cross? Ask him to help you find the proper balance between these two. Close your time of prayer thanking him for helping you grow in your personal relationship with him.
In Him,
dw
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