Religious and Spiritually Dead

It’s sad to me that people can believe that they are followers of Jesus, and yet be spiritually dead. Our Lord addresses this very issue in the Book of Revelation 3:1-6, (AMP). He says, “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Sardis write:

“These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. ² Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. ³ So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. ⁴ But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous). ⁵ He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. ⁶ He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

In verse one He says to them that they call themselves believers, but they’re not. He knows their deeds, He sees what they are up too, and quite frankly their actions do not line up to a true believer in Jesus. And He gives them a warning and tells them that they need to repent.

So many people think they are Christians and will spend their eternity in heaven, but they are deceived. They have not met God’s requirements. And just what does He require of us? Romans 10:9 clearly tells us, “”If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” You can repeat godly sayings, even Scriptures all you want, but if you do not believe in your heart, it’s all in vain. And how do you know if you truly believe in your heart? Your actions will show you whether you believe or not.  James 2:26 says it like this, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” You can gather together with other Church folk on Sundays and holidays and take part in the religious activities, but outside of that atmosphere you live for yourself, for your own sinful desires. And it’s these ungodly actions that prove you don’t really believe. If you really did, you wouldn’t behave the way you do. You say, “But I do believe!” Congratulations! James 2:19 says it like this, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” 

What I want you to see is this, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved,” Acts 4:12. Jesus says in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And how do we do this? We believe in our hearts, and confess with our words, “I believe, Jesus is Lord.” And your thoughts, your words, and your daily actions will begin to transform. And those around you will witness the change in your life. 

Let us not spend our lives acting religious, when in reality we are spiritually dead. Let’s be real with ourselves, and with God. Let’s pray.

“Father God, I have really missed it. I have been acting all religious, but inwardly I see that I have been spiritually dead. I don’t want to be like the demons, who believe, but are filled with evil. No, I repent of all ungodliness in my life. Forgive me, I have been so wrong. I have been self-centered, self-seeking, and oh, so lost. But today, is a new day. And I do believe in my heart that You are who You say You are. You are the One and only way to Salvation. I not only ask You to forgive me of all evil thoughts, words, and sinful actions, but I surrender my life to You. I ask You to be my Savior. And I ask You, Holy Spirit to teach me how to live like I truly believe, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

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© 2022 Author Becky Dvorak–Healing and Miracles International, All rights reserved.