The Watermark of Death unto Life

Even in decay, there is life…

God is in the business of bringing life out of death, literally. When Jesus was speaking of his coming death and resurrection, he stated: “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24). He is still bearing much fruit in bringing people into the kingdom of God. I became a Christian at the funeral of a godly saint; one who had lived a faithful life of following hard after Jesus. One could say that her death brought me new life.

I had been reading the bible and attending Margaree Valley Baptist Church. The hymns would move me to tears, the word preached brought light to my soul, and yet a final surrender did not happen until her funeral. Don’t be fooled; it really is a surrendering, a giving-over. Probably the hardest thing for a person to do is to give up. O, blessed day! I had to die to myself so that I might live to God. Jesus brought me from death unto life - salvation through faith; his life for mine; forgiveness for time and eternity.

Seeds dying in order to burst forth with new life is the pattern that was woven into the very fabric of creation itself. God created the seasons; those amazing cycles of seedtime and harvest, snow-covered fields and summer growth, blossoming springtime and leaves returning to nurture the soil amidst astounding hues of gold and red. As a Christian, this dying to self daily is the most freeing way to live, and bears much fruit in our own souls and in the souls of those around us. Like a watermark embedded on a page, this design of death unto life should be seen, daily, in the life of a Christian. Unrelenting compassion, pursuing love in every situation and yes, even dying well-without fear; these are the marks of a Christian who dies daily in order that Christ might live in them and through them.

Jesus said:

“Truly truly I say to you, he who hears my word, 

and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, 

and does not come into judgment, 

but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24)