by Charles Sibthorpe
A number of years ago, I was with Colin Urquhart when he spoke at the Sunday Service at Strangeways Jail in Manchester. He was given a 10 minute slot to speak to 500 prisoners, and as the men restlessly and noisily assembled, I wondered how Colin would handle this challenge. “I have good news for you,” he began, “God does not want to reform you!” A cheer rang out, followed by hushed silence, as they waited for what was to follow. “He wants you to die.” Colin continued. Every ear was tuned to those next few moments, as Colin explained that the message of the Cross was death to the old life and the gift of brand new resurrection life in Jesus.
Recently when speaking at a conference on “Christ in You” we asked, “How many of you, when you became believers, understood that it meant death to the flesh and being given a completely new life in Christ?” Only one in ten said “Yes” to this question.
Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection – he knew that the cross had dealt with his past and a set him free from the power of sin. He did not try and improve his old life; he knew that new life in Christ is the only good news.
Are you battling with the flesh, your old human self? Trying harder and self improvement will not work. Paul clearly expressed his gospel when he preached, “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2)
In another letter Paul explains that the work of the cross in our lives is the key to releasing the life of Jesus in our bodies. “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:10)
Paul’s own testimony is this, “I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
We don’t need more trying – we need more dying!
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