The truth is, all of us, in one way or another, fit into Stevenson’s story about these two personalities. Most of us seem to have split natures more often than we care to admit. But thankfully, we’re not the only ones suffering from this malady. Even the Apostle Paul struggled between good and evil.

Reading through Romans 7, we see how much he clashed with these two “persons.” Vs. 21 gives us this interesting insight to life from Paul: “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” Poor Paul – poor us!! As he discovered, there is a war being waged in all of us between good and evil. Between the things we want to do and don’t do and the things we don’t want to do, and do.

Imagine the total frustration Paul must have felt when he finally throws up his hands in total exasperation and declares these famous words = “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” The answer, of course, is that Jesus Christ can and does!!

The ancient Roman Emperors were known for their ability to think up hideous forms of punishment for criminals. One of their punishments was that of binding the corpse of a murder victim to the back of the murderer. So, shackled to his victim — hand-to- hand, waist-to-waist, and foot-to-foot — the murderer was forced to live out the remainder of his days directly bearing the weight and putrefying stench of the dead body he carried around with him day and night. In time, the rotting flesh would become rife with disease, infecting the killer and leading to a horrible and grisly end.

Paul’s analogy was that without Christ, we are shackled to a dead body – our sinfulness. Thankfully, Jesus Christ has freed us from sin’s penalty and the Holy Spirit frees us from sin’s power. This is the truth that sets us free. But, of course, to enjoy freedom, we need to apply these truths to our daily lives.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Over my dead body.” There are some who claim this has historical background dating back to the days when one king would always need to die before another could ascend to the throne. So the term, “You will become king over my dead body” came into play. This often happened by murdering the ruling king. Literally, one person would need to die for another to reach their goal. But again literally – this is the only way believers enter the kingdom of heaven – over the crucified body of Jesus Christ who died for us as he willingly laid down his life in place of ours!

In March of 1974, Japanese Lt Hiroo Onoda, a World War II holdout for nearly 30 years, emerged from the Philippine jungles. He told Japanese newsmen he hadn’t come out before because he hadn’t received the order. His brother Toshiro was part of the search party who finally located Hiroo and gave him the good news that the war

had ended. Imagine fighting a war for 30 years without knowing that it was over. Crazy isn’t it?!

But this is the same news the Apostle Paul was giving us. The war is over – our sinful nature is dead. It’s been defeated if we will only turn to Jesus in those critical times of decision! Romans 6:11 says it outright – “You should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Great news — we no longer have to be slaves to sin, those counted among the living dead.

Imagine if I bought a new car battery but kept the old one – because …well – I’ve had it a long time and I like it. Imagine attending a funeral and walking past the casket and winking at the corpse! Again – pretty crazy thinking!

Living dead or alive to Christ? As always — our choice!

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurchg.org

The post The Living Dead appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Finishing the meter check, the senior challenged the younger co-worker to a foot race down the alley back to their truck. As they came running up to the truck, they realize the lady from that last house was huffing & puffing right behind them. They stopped and asked her what was wrong. Gasping for breath, she replied, “When I saw two men from the gas company running as hard as you guys were, I figured I’d better run too!”

You must admit that’s an eye-roller! But for some reason, it made me think about the clash of kingdoms we have between good & evil — God & the Devil. Both are in hot pursuit of one main thing – your and my souls. It’s a race to see who will prevail with mere humans who are often clueless as to what’s really going on!

I recently read the Beatitudes again. The famous sermon was delivered by Jesus and recorded in the Book of Luke. The word beatitude comes from the Latin word meaning blessedness. Jesus repeats the phrase “blessed are” over and over – eight times total.

Up to that point, the Jewish people had been raised on long lists of strict rules taught by the Scribes through the law of Moses. But no one had ever been able to fulfill all the requirements of the law and obtain righteousness. Now, Jesus was taking these impossible laws – boiling them down to their truest essence – with promises of provision from God rather than judgment. The listeners were mesmerized. They could hear the truth in Jesus’s words – they could feel the difference.

Here are the first four Beatitudes: “You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal. You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning. Count yourself blessed every time someone smears your name to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort.” And the list continues . . . blessing after blessing!

Contrast those in the race for souls with the Devils beatitudes. Ohhh yeah – he has a list too. Here are just a few from his list: Blessed are those who are too tired or too busy to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. Blessed are those who are easily offended – they will soon get angry and quit. Blessed are those who are the complainers – I’m all ears to them. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God’s work – for they are my helpers. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it’s about other people and not yourself – I’ve got you too!

The whole purpose of Jesus’s message was to offer a new way – revealed truth & everlasting life. Jesus was offering the seekers in his audience a glimpse of the power His Spirit could work through them. The Kingdom of Heaven was truly within their

grasp. Jesus showed them what it looked like so they would hunger for the freedom His salvation would bring! The truth is, there are two kingdoms and which one you eventually end up in is your choice!

There’s a fascinating story of Bishop Philip Brooks – author of “O, Little Town of Bethlehem.” When he was seriously ill, he requested no friends come to see him. But when an acquaintance of his – Robert Ingersoll, a famous a in right away. Ingersoll said “I appreciate this very much. Especially when you aren’t letting any of your close friends in to see you.”

Bishop Brooks responded, “Oh, I’m confident of seeing them in the next world, but this may be my last chance to see you!”

Choose your ‘blessings’ wisely ~    Selah!

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org

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