Message from Scripture: 11/06/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Tim. 5:6; “She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.”

 

Current culture has become fascinated with “the living dead,” such as the television program, or movies, books, discussion of zombies. Many people have become convinced the dead can come back to threaten people who are living. Of course, this is untrue and unbiblical, but the Scripture today does speak of a way spiritually where a person can be dead, even while living physically.

 

Paul describes an individual who is self-indulgent as being spiritually dead, even though they are still alive in the flesh. To be self-indulgent carries the idea to be given over to the gratification of one’s desires, to gain pleasure for oneself. While it certain isn’t wrong to enjoy the life God provides, to focus on satisfying fleshly desires is. One can be spiritually dead by God not being the focus of one’s life. Jesus reminded the church in Sardis, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:2).

 

True spirituality isn’t just going through the motions, or just adhering to a specific form, but one that is genuine, that motivates one to put Christ first and seek His will over the desires of life. Paul earlier reminded Timothy, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5). This offers what is truly life today, as the spiritual is what guides us in what we choose, in how we live.

 

Today allures us, but the eternal is what invigorates us, offering a life today really worth living. Paul encourages us, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). This is where we truly live, truly enjoy life, truly have a real hope. Let’s live for our Lord, and have life that is life indeed (1 Tim. 6:19). God bless.

 

Robert