How Dead is Dead?

How Dead is Dead?
We all know that Christ used parables to teach us spiritual lessons. But have you ever noticed how God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, uses actual historical events recorded in the Bible to teach us?

One of the greatest examples of God using actual events to teach us is the deliverance of the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The word Exodus means, ‘the way out’ and the book of Exodus is the story of how the nation of Israel is redeemed by blood and by power.

Israel was delivered from the Angel of Death by the blood of the Passover Lamb and they were delivered from the Egyptian army by the power of God as He parted the Red Sea. God uses these events to teach us about our redemption from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross and from the temptations of Satan by the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells us.

Now let’s look at how Christ uses three miracles He performed to teach us of His power to save anyone (regardless of how lost in sin they are).

In the New Testament, Christ raised three people from the dead: Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son and Lazarus. Read the following scriptural accounts:

- Jairus’ daughter: Luke 8:40 – 56 (enjoy the added bonus of reading about Christ healing the woman with the issue of blood while on His way to Jairus’ house (Christ is never too busy to heal us).

- The widow’s son: Luke 7:11-17

- Lazarus: John 11:38-44 (read John 11:1-44 for the full account)

Never forget that these Biblical accounts are actual events. Christ raised these three people from the dead!

But the spiritual illustration is that Christ can give spiritual life to anyone, regardless of how dead in sin they may be (Ephesians 2:1 – And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins).

Jairus’ daughter had been dead for a very short time. The widow’s son had been dead for hours (but probably less than a day because of Jewish burial customs). Lazarus had been dead for four days.

Anyone who has not accepted Christ as their Savior is spiritually dead (whether they are someone who tries to live a moral life or someone who rapes and murders). But no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s love. He died for the sins of the entire world – 1 John 2:2 and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

No one is beyond the love of Christ. Read about Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. See how Christ saved the chief of the tax collectors: a man hated by the world but loved by God.

So how dead is dead? It doesn’t matter. Christ can give eternal life to anyone who accepts Him!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to hate the sin not the sinner. Your love can save anyone, no matter how lost in sin they may be. Please use me to share Your love with the lost. Amen.

A Prayer of ‘Un-abomination’

A Prayer of ‘Un-abomination’
Proverbs 6:16-19 says:

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

An abomination means something that is detested or repulsive.

If God detest these seven things, we should pray that we are not these things. Therefore, this devotional is a prayer to God asking His Holy Spirit to empower us to never be these things.

Read this prayer. Then write your own!


Heavenly Father, I praise Your name and humbly acknowledge that only through the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit can I become the Christian You want me to be. In Proverbs 6 You clearly tell me seven things that are repulsive to You. Please, dear Lord, help me never to be these things.

I ask that I never look down on others or exalt myself. May the example of humility Christ set for me guide me in my thoughts, words, actions and attitudes.

Jesus Christ is the Truth. Jesus indwells me. I pray that only truthful words come out of my mouth. May I honor You with all my words.

May your peace that passes understanding guide my life and relationships. May I learn to forgive others. I pray I never shed innocent blood.

My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. May my thoughts be ever focused on You. Guard my mind against wicked thoughts dear Lord. May my creativity be focused on, and dedicated to, serving You.

Cleanse my heart of sinful curiosity. May my only interest in mischief be aiding the unfortunate and mistreated or witnessing to the lost. Give me wisdom to discern when I should engage in any questionable situation.

May I never misrepresent myself or others for self-preservation, protection, personal gain, or revenge. May my words and testimony, whether in court or in casual conversation, be honest and accurate.

May I never stir up trouble within my Christian family. On the contrary, may my influence be one that facilitates harmony and conflict resolution. May others see that we are Christians by the way we love another.

I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.