Death For Life

We have a lady from our community and her brother on our prayer list  She gave him a kidney!
It really made me think as I saw posts of her process and her pain.
WOW!  to give a body part to someone....to extend their life, maybe even save it! I know ..."we have 2!"  But still, what a sacrifice, all because she loves her brother. (I also have a dear friend who received a kidney from her sister several years ago..same thoughts!)
It also made me think about a dear young friend we lost almost 10 years ago now.
He became an organ donor (he and his mom had had a conversaion just months prior...and he told her he wanted to donate if ever...and ever came.)
He changed quite a few lives!  Death for life.....
What strange statement....in death there is life.  In the pain and suffering there is hope of renewed life.

But don't we all have the opportunity for renewed life??  A renewed life that only comes because of pain and suffering...
from death...to life.

We don't just get an organ transplant...we could call it a heart transplant but really we get a WHOLE Spirit transplant.
📖 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here.  2 Corinthians 5:17

and it extends our life....for eternity!
📖 For God so loved the world that he gavehis one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

In Christ's pain and suffering and ultimately His death, we can shed the old and have a new life in Him!
There will be tragedies and hardship, but with our transplanted spirit we can face those with hope, with thankfulness, with peace.
📖 In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21 
📖 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

📖 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Christ did what He did out of love for us...just as those who gave a part of their body loved the family member they were giving to and how much more so to donate to those you don't know!!
Christ went through the process of preparation, pain and suffering knowing it was only for a short time and that it would be for the end glory....of His Father
📖   to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:21

Our transplant of the Spirit and new life only happened because of death, His death on the cross for us. Without death and resurrection, His death and ressurection, we would not have the opportunity to claim that gift of life!
📖 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
As with organ donation, in some cases, someone has to die in order for another to live.
in Christ's case He went to that death willingly, knowing what was going to happen, He knew His purpose here on earth.  He willingly took on all.of our sin and ugliness so that we could have anew Spirit! One that would be pure and spotless before God.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
We sign up to be organ donors for "when ever we pass, and there are viable organs".
With Christ, He knew exactly what He was headed for, and that He was the only One whose blood could be shed for our "transplant of spirit"  He was the perfect "replacement" for us!
The death he died, he died to sin once for all;but the life he lives, he lives to God. Romans 6:10
It is an overwhelming thought that someone could willingly give a part of their body as they are still living, or even to donate after they are gone.....
📖     Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 15:13
And Jesus said it is easy to love your friends ...but we are called to love everyone...even our enemies....because that is who Christ died for...EVERYONE...even your enemy!

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
Matthew 6:43-48

Thank you Lord for giving me a full Spirit Transplant!!! I pray you can say the same!!
I also thank God for those who choose to be organ donors!