SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1045

“I See Dead People”

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”- (John 8:24)

Our reference Scripture verse is a promise of God that is unpopular with many. As I contemplated the eternal implications and consequences of this promise I was reminded of a famous line from the movie, The Sixth Sense, where the young boy tells Bruce Willis’ character, ‘I see dead people’.

Indeed, we see spiritually dead people in our everyday lives.

We work with dead people;

We shop among dead people;

We travel alongside dead people;

We play sports with dead people;

We live in the same neighborhood with dead people.

We even attend church with dead people.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – (2 Peter 3:9)

Do you feel the patient burden of God’s love for the lost when you are among them? I confess that oftentimes I want to escape the cesspool of the world and retreat to a place far from the company of dead people. This is a normal reaction and Jesus did just that setting an example for us to remain in prayer and fellowship with Our Father in Heaven. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)

God has called us to carry His light into the darkness of this world. He asks us to be in it but not of it. He wants us to abide in Him and be equipped with His Holy Spirit and the full armor of God as we bring His Gospel to the masses of ‘dead people’.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – (Matthew 5:14-16)

A dear brother recently wrote in his inspired devotional that we are ‘living translations’ of the Word of God. We live side by side, elbow to elbow with dead people. We experience the same context of trials, issues, challenges, and difficulties. How we respond in word, action, and attitude is a translation of the Living Word of God.

The lost were drawn to Jesus – to the Light of the Father that was in Him. Are the dead people in your social and work context drawn to the Light of Christ abiding in you? Will they hear your testimony or will they judge its validity by their remembrance of your actions and attitudes? How true is your ‘Living Translation’?

May you remain in the Word. May you know the power and presence of Christ abiding in you and you in Him. May His light draw dead people to eternal life through Jesus. May you be ready in season and out of season to be Christ in their midst.