Alive Only in Christ

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”  John 5:24

There is so much to learn from God about “deadness.”  How many people throughout history experienced “deadness” only to discover God?

Here are some examples:  Sarah experienced the deadness of her womb (and Abraham – deadness in his body) only to discover God’s ability alone to give her a son, according to God’s promise – Isaac.

Hannah experienced deadness of her womb, only to discover God’s ability alone in giving her a son – Samuel – a man of God.

Elizabeth experienced the deadness of her womb, only to discover God’s ability alone giving her a son in her old age – John – a man of God – witness of the Light sent from God:  Jesus Christ.

And then through Paul, God taught about deadness of man in trespasses and sins.  But there is indeed another spiritual understanding of deadness that God also taught through Paul and continues to teach us today by His Word and Spirit:

The deadness of human ability to achieve the glory of God in these mortal jars of clay.

How then does it come?

Through faith in the Living Son of God within the heart.  “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.”  “And the LIFE I now live, I live by faith in/of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20)

This is the glory and mystery of the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ.

All people are dead. 

As believers we are to reckon ourselves dead.  Dead to what?

Dead to sin and its power.  And we are to reckon (count) ourselves ALIVE TO GOD in Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ:  but only through Jesus Christ. (Rom. 6)

Faith is looking solely at Jesus Christ, through Him comes ALL things.  We live by Him; we walk by Him; we think by and through Him; we do by and through Him.

These women could NOT boast in themselves about these babies.  They could say that line out of the fictional, classic movie, “Gone With the Wind,” with their whole hearts:  “I don’t know nuthin about birthin no babies.”

But they did say along with the real Mary, chosen vessel of God to bear the Christ child:  “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, My Savior!” They gave glory solely to God, because He alone did it!

It’s the same with our lives and walk, experiencing life through the Resurrection Life and Power of the Son of God within our hearts.

“Oh, Lord – we look to you, our Life, our All.  We know it is YOUR WILL to be magnified in us by the power and Life of Your indwelling Son within our hearts.  AMEN!”

Trusting in Jesus Christ, our Life and Hope of Glory,

Sue Gaither