Dead or Alive?

He is a walking dead man. Truth is nothing to him, lying a way of life. He is a parasite who used people simply to survive. He craves acceptance but lives so self-centeredly that others turn away. He is an illustration of the Scripture: "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die...” and that death does not wait until they put a corpse in the ground! Here’s the rest of the story; … "but, if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:13-14, NIV) What joy to know that because of the transforming power of the Gospel of Christ, we who were once the walking dead, can be made alive, and not just survivors, but actually turned into noble people who are lovely and beautiful- children of God!

We are mistaken if we think knowing Christ and His salvation is only for Heaven. When we experience His grace and begin to live ‘in Him;’ informed by His Word, empowered by His Spirit, and part of His Community, the Church; we are changed. The Scripture trumpets the wonder of it all - "Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." (2 Corinthians 3:18, The Message)

Mere religion cannot accomplish this. Baptism and church membership cannot do what the Spirit does when He is invited into our hearts. There are many, many people who call themselves “Christian” who remain mean and miserable. How so? Perhaps by some effort they have curbed the grosser sins of human nature, but essentially they still the walking dead. When pressed, their true Self asserts control and, like a threatened dog, they snarl and snap to protect themselves. But, then there are those who have been converted, who are full of the Spirit. Because their very nature has been changed, they are full of light and love.

What is true of you?
Are you a walking dead man or a son of God?
It’s not a rhetorical question. It demands an answer, especially if you claim to be a follower of Christ. Look at the way you live. What is revealed about the true nature, the core person?

Here’s a word from the Word. Let the Spirit speak to you through it today and be converted – from death to life. "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God." (Romans 8:5-11, NLT)

_______________

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me;
Now safe am I.

All my heart to Him I give;
Ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too,
To Him belongs.

Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me.

Souls in danger, look above;
Jesus completely saves.
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey.
He your Savior wants to be,
Be saved today.

Love Lifted Me
Rowe, James / Smith, Howard E.
© Public Domain