A Grave Problem

Have you noticed the amount of resources that are spent in advertising products to "fix" us? Fix my appearance, I look old. Fix my health, I feel old. Show me the Fountain of Youth, I am old. Before-and-after photos give us hope. In desperation, we buy into dietary scams only to be disappointed with the number on the scale and the reflection in the mirror. Fix my finances, where should I invest? Where is the nearest casino? Maybe I'll get lucky! And what about failed relationships? Is love really blind?

We lose ourselves in the constant barrage of hype, hoping to improve ourselves in any way possible. Self-help schemes are never ending. Books and motivational speakers are only a click away. People spend millions each year for lifts, nips, tucks, fillers, plumper and more. Let's face it. As these bodies gradually wear out, what we are really seeking after is to feel not just youthful, but alive!

But the Bible tells us the real problem. And it is grave, indeed. Our Creator says that we are not just dying - we are dead. Spiritually lifeless and unable to do anything to change our condition. Only He can give life.

The book of Ephesians spells it out this way: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the craving of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." 

Notice the past tense there. You were dead... you used to live at one time. This was written to those who had changed. But how? How were they "made alive with Christ"? By believing in Him who conquered death, they (we) are given life.

Jesus' body was beaten and scourged. He underwent such brutality that He was beyond recognition when nailed to a Roman cross. He was laid lifeless in a tomb. But three days later, Jesus rose from the dead in a glorified body.

By paying the debt of our sin ("for the wages of sin is death"), we too are made alive spiritually and one day, physically as well. Like Jesus, we will also experience a bodily resurrection. To believe this requires faith. A faith not of ourselves but it is a gift given by God. We need only ask.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descent from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18).

First Corinthians 15:42-44 also speaks of this new life: "So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body."

So stop chasing after the aforementioned ridiculous pursuit of what is temporary at best. God offers a permanent, real solution. The only true solution: a new life which comes by believing that Jesus Christ paid our debt for sin, He was resurrected and lives forever. Our flesh can be redeemed from the curse of decay if we confess our sin, turn from it and believe in Jesus as our Redeemer. Only then will we truly have life!