I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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~Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬

As Christians, the idea of a living grave is something we don’t really contemplate. Graves are associated with death, not life. Except for in the case of Christ, when He was resurrected and came out of the grave in all His glory. And when we think of Jesus calling Lazarus out of the grave. Is it possible that a grave can bring life from death?

Throughout the New Testament, we find references to laying down our lives, taking up our cross, being dead to our past, and taking on a new identity. All of these strike me as perfect examples of a living grave. As Christians, we are to daily lay ourselves down and live as Christ. Each day, if we picture ourselves as a living example of Christ, we will put aside our personal identity and assume Christ’s identity.

And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority … having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.

~‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I have been walking with Christ for so many years, but I still find myself easily slipping into my own headspace rather than seeking His. Maybe I’m just frustrated because I was cut off by some crazy driver. My temper flares because of the risk that the driver caused. Later, I may sense the Holy Spirit pressing on my heart to pray for that person and whatever was happening in their life. Yet, in the moment, I wanted to give them a piece of my mind and an angry honk. It’s easy for us to think on our terms rather than on God’s. We see only from our limited life perspective, influenced by our immediate circumstances and experiences.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

~‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It seems there is an endless struggle between our human nature and God‘s incredible capacity and character.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

~‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is exactly why we must learn the beauty of a living grave. When we abandon ourselves fully to live as Christ, we completely surrender to His leadership, direction, and word. His resurrection power lives in us, and we are the fragrance of Christ. And I would much rather smell like Him than some of my stinky attitudes that can raise their ugly head.

The concept of a living grave is really not about death, but true living. We become resurrected through Christ’s power as new creations, living through His character and holiness to a capacity that we are fully incapable of by ourselves. When we accept that beautiful gift provided through Christ, we fully latch our identity to Christ. We then find great comfort in taking up our own cross and dying to our self-made ways.

When we lay ourselves down, we discover that anything other than true living is exactly what Christ came to rescue us from. So tonight, when you go to bed, consider it the place where you rest your flesh before God. Let it be a laying down of yourself and asking Him to raise you up the next day as a renewed picture of Christ. Each day, repeat the same. It won’t come easy. Paul says it is a struggle. Yet the more that we study God’s Word and see how incredible God is, the easier it is to want to look more like Him and let go of what we are used to.

Think of ways you can be a living grave. 

Father, help me lay myself down and take on the image of Christ for others. I want to be more like You and less like the me You rescued. Help me each day to know You better so I can reflect You better. Thank You for the gift of Your resurrection and poured-out love for my life, so that I can have a life so much more abundant than the one I would try to run on my own. I ask that my life as a living sacrifice will be an honor and gift back to You. Thank You for the love You have so freely poured out over me. In Jesus name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: The Living Grave: Kristi LaRee: All Rights Reserved.