He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.’
– Revelation 3:1
Without Christ, we are worse than zombies. With Him, we are more than conquerors.
Someone once asked English evangelist Leonard Ravenhill if he prayed for the dead. He answered, “No, I preach to them!” He went on to lament that church pews were full of people who sang about God and talked about God, but who didn’t have a living relationship with Him.
Most people you ask on the street will probably tell you they believe in God. Unfortunately, that’s not enough. Jesus’ half-brother James reminds us, “You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20 NKJV)
According to the Bible, we’re all dead in some way. Those who have never accepted the sacrifice for their sins are spiritually dead. Those who have, are dead to sin and alive to righteousness.
Someone has noted dead men don’t feel pain. No one can talk them into anything. They can’t be tempted. They don’t hear the voice of their enemy.
But then, neither are they capable of feeling joy or hearing the voice of their Captain. That’s why it’s important to be dead to the world, but alive to Christ. In Him we live on a deeper level than we can ever experience without Him. Although turning away from the pleasures of wickedness gives us momentary sorrow, obedience to His Word ushers us into worlds without end, an eternity of life.
The question, then, isn’t whether or not we are dead. The question is: To whom are we dead? To God, or to the devil? And how do we know?
The key is to look at what voice we obey. Of course, everybody is tempted. Everyone sins. But is our belief that of the demons, who merely know God exists? Or is it a faith demonstrated by more than an outward show?
It is by obedience to His Word that we demonstrate our belief, our trust, our faith in Him.
During the short journey upon this earth, we are dead men walking. By the power of His grace, may we walk toward God in the newness of His life.
I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
– 1 Corinthians 15:31
