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Dead Christians
We buy more books, join more ministries, and we follow cool Christians on social networks. We find everything to occupy our time with, other than the will of God. Many seek to go higher but they have yet to decide to leave behind the world. Some even spend hours in Church, but when it comes to personal sacrifice and devotion to God, they aren’t up for that. I realize now is because the most Christians in the Church are still alive. Now many may read that statement and either overlook it, or call me a false teacher, but before you call it hogwash, think about it. Has God ever once encouraged us to live in our flesh or has He commanded us to die to it? We often seek revival but live in rebellion. God won’t work miracles until we fear Him again.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5 ESV)
….I die daily. (I Corinthians 15:31)
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)
Five ways to know you’re still alive to your flesh:
1. You lack interest in Godly things.
You can tell where a person’s heart is based on what they are passionate about. It’s a problem if I can tweet about God all day but cannot spend time with Him alone off of a social network. something is wrong if I only remember God exists is Sunday during service, but I ignore Him throughout my week. It’s a problem if I can pursue a woman, but cannot pursue His presence. something is not adding up if I can shout after my favorite team scores or wins, but I am quiet in church or I cannot at least say “thank you” for many blessings”.
2. You are your own boss.
There is no such thing as “I do what I want, when I want, or how I want.” A Christian says “God, your will, on your timing, and for your glory.” We cannot think we call the shots, God is our Lord. Serving Him gives more freedom then being a slave to sin or selfish pursuits. The Bible also shows that Jesus didn’t argue or fight when accused, it says we are to hold our peace and let God fight for us (Exodus 14:14). Quit trying to be right all of the time, and leave things in the hand of God.
3. Your priorities are out-of-order:
If we rather hang out with friends or watch television than spend time with Jesus, we have to change something. If we rather check our texts instead of His Text (The Bible), something is out-of-order. If I can watch a movie for hours or a game for hours and I think God better be happy with my two-minute prayers throughout the day, then I need to repent.
4. If I’m not in obedience to the Word.
“No one is perfect” is an ungodly excuse from the pit of Hell that seeks to ensnare us believers into complacency. The devil wants us to give God less than what He deserves and say, “Thank God for grace”. Don’t be fooled, grace saves but it also changes. The Word of God is our mirror that we need to look into and have God clean us up and chisel us into His image. We cannot treat God’s Word like a magazine, skimming to what we like and what is convenient. All of it is to be obeyed, applied, and taken to heart.
5. My friends aren’t seeking God.
Don’t get me wrong, we will all hang around unbelievers, and we will be related to them, but if the relationships you are closest to you are pointing you towards sin, something is wrong. Don’t seek to be like the world, stand out and be the light (Romans 12:2). Your friends can determine your outcome, choose wisely (Proverbs 13:20).
A generation is rising that wants the power of God without being in submission to God. Before honor is humility. Remember this, the God of the Old Testament is the same God in the New Testament. The bible tells us that Jesus is still the same (Hebrews 13:8), so why do we think He’s comfortable with sin now? Yes, He has always been merciful, but that never made Him happy that we are comfortable in sin. He said, if you love me you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). God wants our obedience, not our excuses. You may not be perfect, but God wants you to die daily to your carnal nature so your spirit can become conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). Maybe you will never be perfect, maybe you won’t reach maturity for years, but will you at least try to please God with your life and not just your mouth? I don’t want to simply say I’m a Christian or believer, but I want to live the way the apostles did in the Bible. My God is still the same, I have more resources than they did, I am probably younger than they were, and I cannot make it simply seem as though God is retired and the world will never experience true Christianity. I have personally seen miracles with my own eyes and ears: cancer healed in many at my church, financial breakthroughs, lawsuits and jail time canceled, and more but I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting. My point is this, I want it to happen more in my life and I would love for it to happen in yours as well, so I draw this question to you: Are you willing to die so that Christ can finally take complete control over your life?
“If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He isn’t Lord at all.”
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
– Tovares Grey
