Dying With Jesus by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1915

Dying With Jesus

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

Two deaths are allotted man because of sin. In Adam all die. This is not the death penalty for sin. This is our inheritance death. The next death—for all are made alive in Christ even though not deserving it—comes to each as the result of personal choice, personal sin. This is the second or eternal death. And, in very fact, all, both saint and sinner, must die this death, the only difference being that the child of God chooses to die that death now, while the sinner puts it off until it is forced upon him in the lake of fire.

This is the death the apostle was talking about when he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me.” It was on Calvary’s cross that Jesus tasted the second or eternal death for every one who by faith will accept the atonement he made, and there with him let sinful self die.

Have you accepted that sacrifice? If so, with Christ you have passed from death unto life; if you have not, then with Satan and all his host you have “a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.”

The choice is, Shall I yield sinful self for death now, or delay until God justly inflicts it? The answer every one must himself give to God, and himself meet the consequences. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” without an intercessor. How much better to yield the sinful life to Jesus now, and take his righteousness in blessed exchange! Having him, we have life; but having him means death to self—“the old man.”