Dead people don’t move … or do they? I’ve also heard dead people don’t tell tales. But maybe they do.
Because of my profession and upbringing, I’ve seen more than my share of dead people. My father performed numerous funerals as a pastor. When I followed in his footsteps, I did as well. The elderly lady sitting in her recliner and enjoying life when death overtook her. Or the small child who was killed because his mother wrecked while driving drunk. The ninety-nine-year-old woman who had the privilege of seeing some of the first airplanes and cars. And my own father who stopped breathing in an Atlanta hospital. None of these moved after they breathed their last. They never got up from the bed or chair. They were dead. As badly as I wanted to talk to them again, their lips never moved, and their voices remained silent.
I’m also familiar with another type of death. These dead people do walk and tell tales. I see and hear them every day. I’ve worked with them, attended church with them, and belonged to community organizations with them. I even have some of them in my family. In fact, I’m one myself. We are the walking dead … the talking dead.
Physical death and spiritual death are both realities. Physical death ends my earthly existence, but I can live for many years while spiritually dead. What kills me spiritually is my disobedience to God, and the reason I disobey is because of my sin nature. I’m born with it and unless I allow God to give me a new one, I’ll live and die with it. If I die with it, I’ll miss an eternity with God.
The good news is I don’t have to be a dead man walking. New natures are available. Natures God has breathed life into. I can be a live man walking. Alive to spiritual things. Alive to God and His plan for my life. Alive to the abundance He offers. All He requires is that I ask. Jesus died physically to give me life spiritually.
Don’t walk around dead in your sins when you can enjoy the freedom of forgiveness.
(Photo courtesy of microsoft office.)
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What a timely message for so many in our Western culture!