( Romans 6 v 8 & 9 )
We love the thought of a happy ending
And, why not?
There is however, for the follower of Jesus, a preceding event.
Or even many events.
And these do not appear to be so happy
Unless you realise what is happening beneath the surface.
Jesus died to something
He invites us to do the same.
The something?
Sin.
Now before you respond by thinking of murder, theft, adultery and all sorts of other stuff
(And possibly letting yourself off the hook),
How about criticism, gossip, impatience and insisting on your own way?
Why don't I read I Cor 13 and substitute my name for the word "love" and ask myself how I am doing?
The devil isn't in the detail with this one. Godliness is.
And if we allow the Holy Spirit to help us die to the "small stuff"
Letting our false dignities go with the words
"Please forgive me" or "I was wrong" or "sorry"
We actually get restored to a place
Where resurrection begins to kick in
This takes a great deal of trust in God to deal with us justly
But as the writer later comments:
"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame"
And "no shame" sounds a bit like dignity to me.