Have you ever been reading along in your Bible and had the words jump right off the page and seem to be speaking right to you? I had that happen to me this morning. It was 2 Kings 13:20-21:
"Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."
Now pretend you are one of the ever so loyal men who threw your friends' dead body into another guy's grave. What do you think they thought when they saw their "dead" friend wandering around town the next day? The last time they had seen him he was dead, limp, and lifeless. I'm sure they were amazed and probablya little freaked out. I know that I would be.
This story is a picture of what Jesus does for us. Before we know Christ we are spiritually dead, but once we receive the free gift of salvation that He offers we are made ALIVE! It's not a gradual thing. It's instantaneous. Just like that guy was dead and then- BAM alive. In Romans 6:11 it says:
"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Recently one of my close friends became a Christian. Seeing the transformation that God has done in her life is so incredible. She's constantly asking for ways she can be praying for me. She's become very involved in her church. She's very passionate about seeking and doing God's will, even when God calls her to do hard things. The transformation wasn't gradual; she is now completely alive in Christ!
My true desire is to see my entire generation come to life like that dead man in Kings. God has the power to save; I've seen it first-hand. My passion is for my generation. We aren't just asleep. We're dead. We don't even have a spiritual pulse anymore, but I believe my God is mighty to save. He can bring this generation back to Him, one person at a time. Just like the dead man in Kings, it only takes one touch or encounter with Jesus to bring your friends to life. Who knows what effect your life will have with your "dead" friends? Will you show them Jesus? Will you show them life?
"Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."
Now pretend you are one of the ever so loyal men who threw your friends' dead body into another guy's grave. What do you think they thought when they saw their "dead" friend wandering around town the next day? The last time they had seen him he was dead, limp, and lifeless. I'm sure they were amazed and probablya little freaked out. I know that I would be.
This story is a picture of what Jesus does for us. Before we know Christ we are spiritually dead, but once we receive the free gift of salvation that He offers we are made ALIVE! It's not a gradual thing. It's instantaneous. Just like that guy was dead and then- BAM alive. In Romans 6:11 it says:
"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Recently one of my close friends became a Christian. Seeing the transformation that God has done in her life is so incredible. She's constantly asking for ways she can be praying for me. She's become very involved in her church. She's very passionate about seeking and doing God's will, even when God calls her to do hard things. The transformation wasn't gradual; she is now completely alive in Christ!
My true desire is to see my entire generation come to life like that dead man in Kings. God has the power to save; I've seen it first-hand. My passion is for my generation. We aren't just asleep. We're dead. We don't even have a spiritual pulse anymore, but I believe my God is mighty to save. He can bring this generation back to Him, one person at a time. Just like the dead man in Kings, it only takes one touch or encounter with Jesus to bring your friends to life. Who knows what effect your life will have with your "dead" friends? Will you show them Jesus? Will you show them life?
Wow, great post! It was beautifully written and really had me thinking! I am now following you and would love fi you came by my blog and followed me.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings,
Maggie