DEAD OR ALIVE?

SCRIPTURE:
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of 
our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, 
we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for 
us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we 
were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. 
(Ephesians 2:3-5)

MEDITATION:
The prognosis is in – we are all dead!
What?
Yep, according to God’s Word, we are dead in our transgressions.
We are by nature, objects of wrath.
In other words, we are subject to the ways of the world without Christ.
The worldly way unleashes its wrath on us.

We should realize that “worldly ways” 
does not represent an individual or a group of people.
It is instead, a set of morals, ethics, ideals, etc. 
that are not friendly to God.
Why are they not in agreement with God?
Because they are orchestrated 
by the greatest opponent of God – Satan himself.
In his cleverness, he has trapped many into his world of sin, 
which includes a feeling of hopelessness.

As long as he can eliminate hope in individuals, 
he has control of their thoughts and actions.
Hopeless people are vulnerable to his influences 
because they have no foundation in their lives.
The more hopeless they are, the more the vulnerability.
Some resort to the use alcohol and drugs 
in their efforts to find peace, joy and hope.

The word “however” can be a great word to hear at times.
This is one of those times.
“However”, we can be made alive!
Really?
Yes! As a result of God’s richness in mercy.

We may never fully understand His mercy on this side of Heaven, 
but He has it, because the Bible says He does!
Mercy is described as “compassion or forgiveness shown 
toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm”.
Think about that for a moment.
The One who has the power to punish or harm us, 
has compassion for us and forgives us for being alienated toward Him.

It might be hard to grasp, but He loves us that much!
Why wouldn’t He? 
After all He was the One who created us, 
in spite of Satan’s set of principles which try to convince us 
that God is not involved in the creation of a human being.
That is why so many have been duped into believing it is okay to 
destroy what He has created (prior to birth) without consequences.

God cares so much for us 
that He created a process for us to be resurrected from death into life.
It is often referred to as a “new birth”.
That makes sense doesn’t it?
We are born into the world of Satan, which makes us dead, 
but we are reborn into the world of the Lord, which gives us life.

“However” we have a responsibility for being restored to life.
We have to accept God’s plan of salvation which includes 
believing that Jesus is His Son who died as a sacrifice for our sins.
We must choose to surrender our lives to the Lord 
and allow Him to influence our thoughts and actions.

When we do that, we are blessed 
with a foundation for our lives that includes peace, joy and hope.
We can rely on the Lord to help us cope with our hang-ups 
such as guilt, anxiety, fear, worry, anger and selfishness.

We also learn to love others in a new way 
and we develop an ability to put the concerns of others ahead of our own.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility 
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests 
but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

ACTION:
What is your diagnosis?
Are you “dead in the world” or “alive in Christ”?
If you are “dead”, you have the opportunity 
to make the most important decision you will ever make.
If you are “alive”, can others easily see the changes in your life?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace! Thank You for 
promising to give me life! Thank You, Jesus for making my new birth 
possible! Lord, I want to fully surrender my life to You from this day 
forward. Show me how I can best use the spiritual gift You have given 
me for participating in Your earthly ministry. Teach me to exchange my 
selfishness for selflessness. I know there is nothing in my life that is 
incapable of being changed through Your redemptive power.”