Originally posted by Varqa
Paul was a spiritual man and a saint, but he said:
I die daily. 1 Corinthians
This also means he is resurrected daily.
Paul did not physically die daily. He did not resurrect physically daily.
He died to his independent self daily, as each Christian is obligated to do. He resurrected daily in the sense that such self denial did not obliterate him psychologically. Rather it forced him to live out the Christ who was within him.
An example:
You are a Christian. You are in bad traffic. A motorist cuts you off. You self rises up. You want to chase after him and give him a loud horn or a good scolding. You're whole being is itching to give this guy a piece of your mind, maybe even a punch in the mouth. Nobody, but nobody does that to YOU !
But you have been learning the lesson to die with Christ and live with Him.
So instead of blowing up you begin to excersize your praying spirit. You pray
"Oh Lord Jesus this guy just aggravated me. But I love you Lord Jesus. I thank you for how you have forgiven me. Lord, strengthen me to forgive this person from my heart. Lord I praise you. Lord Jesus I love you. Thank you Lord Jesus."
Your temper goes to the cross. Your temper dies. Instead the peace of Christ begins to fill your heart - to flood your mind. The terrible anger melts in His love and in His presence. Frustration is turned to joy. Anger is turned to worship. Pain is converted to the enjoyment of the grace of the Lord.
You have just died to self. You have just been resurrected with the resurrection life of Christ dwelling in your spirit.
Now what happens? I'll tell you what happens. The next time someone does something like that to you you are surprised by your own reaction. You should be infuriated. But somehow there is a peace within. Your skin seems to have gotten thicker. The injury does not penetrate you. You do not lose your peace. You do not lose your internal joy.
You have been a little bit transformed. If you are faithful to bear the cross, one day the cross will bear you. You will be lifted up above the flood by the very cross which you bore.
You become untouchable more and more. The resurrection life cannot be destroyed. If you are fearful to preserve it then it must not be resurrection. Nothing can put down resurrection.
It is through this kind of dying daily and being resurrected daily that the Christian is transformed more and more into the image of Christ.
Paul knew the program. He knew the game. You die to yourself and you enjoy the indwelling Jesus Christ instead.