Dying To Live Part 2

The late General Douglas McArthur once said this "only those are fit to live are not afraid to die".  As a former marketing associate for a hospice organization I have met with family members and their dying loved ones and at times I have heard them say I'm afraid to die others said they couldn't wait to see the Lord. The apostle Paul said "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain". He seemed ready to meet his savior and Lord. Yet why is it that we find it very difficult to die to the self-life and live for Christ here on earth? This afterall is where it counts the most right? Righteous living before a Holy God and shining our lights before a lost and dying world. It's really a very difficult and hard teaching isn't it. That the God we seek to serve is asking us to deny ourselves, take up His cross and follow Him. And for each of  us that one thing or attitude we struggle with can be the very thing we must place 10 feet under to live a full life in Christ. You know what it is for you, perhaps its selfishness, greed, lust, ography, idolatry, hatred, deceitful desires, sexual immorality just to name a few. So yes in crucifying the flesh with its lust and passions we once gave our lives to Christ in full repentance perhaps been buried in baptism and ressurected with Him into newness of life.....and then comes a word found in Colossians 3:5 which says "put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed which is idolatry. Lord please always remind me when I'm hostile towards you and living outside your will for me. May the power of your Holy Spirit break all chains of sin that seeks to choke my life in you. In my pursuit for holiness help me Lord to turn away from worthless, vainless and fruitless things and put to death those deeds of the flesh that so desperately wants to kill my peace and joy.