Living Beyond the Grave

When we focus on what we do rather than who we are, trouble sets in. What we do does not make us righteous; what Christ did on the cross did that. God the Father needed a perfect sacrifice to appease His wrath against sin. God can’t be in the presence of sin. Christ died on the cross and was buried in a tomb.

As I thought about the gospel in that way, I began to ask questions. What accompanied Christ into the tomb? What did He specifically die for? You might say He died for sin. But if someone asked me what that meant or what specifically did Jesus Christ die for, I’d probably respond incorrectly. I believe Christ died for specific attributes and traits modern Christians are still holding onto in their individual relationships with God.

If I said, “Christ died for perfectionism; it’s in the grave,” you may respond, “I’m a perfectionist. Are you saying I’m living in sin?” If you sin, do you ever struggle with the thought that God loves you less because of that? Do you feel a failure? Do you feel you didn’t live up to your part of the deal? Most Christians adopt this pattern of thinking because after trusting in Christ for salvation, they think it’s important to keep their end of the deal to maintain God’s love for them. Strange, we assume this thinking pattern doesn’t exist, but most struggle with it.

If I said, “Christ died for those who are judgmental; condemnation is in the grave,” you may respond, “I’m critical and judgmental. You saying I’m living in sin?” Wherever others are doing well, do you feel the need to find a flaw in them or their actions? Do you feel it’s your duty to call them out? Do you begin to accuse and judge their motives?

When someone hurts you, do you feel retaliation is necessary? Do you plan revenge? Why should believers condemn others and themselves? We’ve all been set free and should treat other believers the same. You could say, “People need to understand they need to be accountable and not get away with their sin especially if they do wrong against me.” We’re not taught to treat others in this manner. God is the judge. He decides!

If I said, “Christ died for the ill-tempered; it’s in the grave,” you may say, “Bruno, you went too far with this one. Are you saying that if I get angry, I’m living in sin? That sounds legalistic.” Those who are ill tempered exemplify an angry attitude toward life in general. They become angry over most situations in life. Their character and conduct are abrasive, aggressive, and angry. Christ took the cup of wrath against sin. God is angry toward sin. Christ appeased God’s anger toward sin (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:14–17). It is truly in the grave!

I wrote this book to help believers in Christ find the tendencies that cause them to be less effective, enthusiastic, and empowering for the Lord. With the Lord’s help, they will identify the primary issue and help believers find healing in their relationship with God. Through a necessary process, believers can deepen their relationship with God and become more effective in edifying other believers. When believers embrace God’s forgiveness, freedom sets in and opens the floodgates of God’s power. Believers become empowered to become a part of a Christlike freedom movement.

The book will address what’s in grave and why it needs to remain in the grave (chapters 1 and 2). Readers will be able to identify which personality traits may exist and how they should be in the grave. It could the area of perfectionism (chapters 3 and 4). It could be a condemning and vengeful spirit (chapter 5). It could be an ill-tempered spirit (chapter 7). However, believers will also have the opportunity to embrace God’s redemptive spirit (chapter 6) and God’s peace (chapter 8). Believers need to decide to be set free from the domination of sin through God’s forgiveness, freedom, and faith or choose to be controlled by perfectionism, revenge, or ill temper (chapters 9 and 10).

You decide! I hope you’re challenged to trust the Lord for a change in your relationship with Him.