Dead 'In' or Dead 'To'

Scripture reminds that we were dead in our former life of trespasses and sins. In this context we understand that sinners are dead to the things of God. The natural man cannot receive the things of God because it carries within itself, the death of sin. Sinners cannot hear, feel, know, understand righteousness because they are dead to these things.

The flip side of this coin is the need for a child of God to be dead, but in a different sense. Instead of being dead in our sins, we are to be dead to our sins. Part of our faith in Christ is to identify with His death by repenting of our sins and 'dying' to all the things that displease God. We are instructed to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. That means there are some things unique to you and me that will destroy us if we do not destroy them.

I have witnessed so many people who profess righteousness, but obviously have not died to sin. They wear their righteous robes, as it were, but they also wear their gossiping tongue, their desire for revenge, their perpetual hatred none of which has been crucified with Christ. No amount of religious rhetoric is a substitute for actual life in Christ. Religion is a poor substitute for relationship. It really a matter of life and death.

This Easter, as we celebrate the life of Jesus, let me encourage you to become dead to the things of sin, and become totally alive to the things of God. At the end of the day we are either alive to God or... to ourselves and to sin. Let this resurrection be to Godliness, righteousness and true purity. What makes you active mentally, emotionally and spiritually? The answer to this may help you comprehend what makes you live. Your stimuli is a clue to whether or not you are alive and/or dead to the right things or not. Happy Easter.

Tim