With all this talk of the world ending today I just couldn’t help but comment.

REM said:

“It’s the end of the world as we know it.
It’s the end of the world as we know it.
It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.”

I wanted to reflect on that idea biblically so here some of my thoughts about the end of the world as I know it.

First, I already experienced the end of the world, well more like my world. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that the day I became a Christian, the old nature inside me died and a new creation was birthed. All my old desires, thoughts, and frankly my whole world was dead. Looking forward, everything was new. So on August 13, 2006 I experienced the end of my world at that time. But it doesn’t stop there (and didn’t for me). The Bible continues to be clear on the topic of “death to self”. It can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:31, Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:23-24 and many other places. Some passages refer to the death we experience upon acceptance of Christ while others speak of a daily event. But can you really die every day? Well kind of.

Every day of my life is a new day. Every day I wake up and ask God to forgive the things I did the previous. Every day I ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to renew me. This is my process of Christian growth (santification). The junk inside me must die every day. I must allow the old world of mine to end EVERY SINGLE DAY. My world ends over and over again, but how about you?

Were you afraid for 12.21.12? Do you fear death? You don’t have to. Jesus Christ conquered death so those that accepted Him would not have to fear it. Instead, Christians embrace the reality that when we leave this world, we will immediately be with Him. Maybe you weren’t worried about today because you were sure of your place in heaven but you struggle with getting rid of the daily junk, truly letting your old nature die.

Let me leave you with these words of encouragement:

• Jesus died for you knowing that you weren’t perfect nor would you ever be.

• From God, by Jesus and through the Holy Spirit you don’t have to live like you always have. You can overcome your world!

• Ask for prayer, help, and support and you’ll be surprised at how refreshing the end of your world can really be!