Along those lines I believe that every man who calls himself a Christ-follower ought to live a life that demands some evidence of his commitment to Christ.

I was reading John 12 last week and it got me to thinking.

In John 11 you have Jesus raising his good friend Lazarus from the grave – he was dead and is now alive. In chapter 12 we find Jesus hanging out with his really close, used-to-be-dead-now-he’s-alive friend. Jesus and his disciples are at Lazarus’ house eating, sharing stories, you know. . .guy stuff.

While they are there a whole bunch of folks start showing up, not only to see Jesus, but to see this guy who was dead and is now alive! I’m sure I would be one of the gawkers. C’mon. . .think about it. Here’s a guy that was really dead – he was dead for 4 days and really, really stunk. Now he’s walking, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. Wouldn’t you want to see him?

OK, back to the story. . .

As it turns out, because  of Lazarus’ encounter with Jesus many Jews began to follow Jesus. And because of this, the Pharisees get perturbed and not only wanted to kill Jesus, but added Lazarus to the hit list as well.

As I read this I realized that Lazarus, who was dead and is now alive by Christ, was pointing people to Jesus. What a great lesson for us. We, too, who were dead in our transgressions or sins (Eph 2:1-3) have been made alive in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-5). And if we have been made alive in Christ, then shouldn’t our lives, also, be pointing people to Christ?

Men, if you have been alive in Christ, by accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10), then you must ask yourself the question, “Does my life point people – my wife, my children, my clients, my boss, my friends, guests at my church, people I teach or serve with – to Jesus?” If not, then what can you do to change that? Whether you believe it or not there are people watching you and your life is speaking volumes to them. Which volume are they reading?

What evidence is there in your life that you have been raised from the death of your sins and made alive in Christ? Or do you look so much like the world that no one knows the difference. Yes, Lazarus was the same Lazarus. . .except he was different. Just ask a dead man what it means to be alive!

Just something to think about,

Mike

So anyway. . .I’m in the 13th chapter and ran across this ~

For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. (v 36-37)

I remember reading verse 36 two years ago. My wife, Karen, had just passed away (for more info click here), I had made the move to join the staff at First Baptist North Mobile, and was working through her loss. I remember this verse because it was like God saying, “Mike, she accomplished all I wanted her to do while she was with you.” And I remember thinking something like, “Yeah, that’s right!” And I knew from then on things would be OK. I didn’t always feel like they would, but somewhere deep down I knew they would.

The interesting part of all this resides in the fact that verse 37 didn’t really hit me until yesterday. It says, “ But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” After reading it I thought, “WOW! What a God! He raised my Savior from a grave never to experience death’s putrid decay!” For some reason I was pumped. I still am.

So what does this have to do with anything? It has to do with everything! In June I was part of a mission trip to Tanzania. We provided medical help, children’s ministry, and a pastor’s conference. In all of this we were very intentional about sharing the gospel. Part of our sharing experience included going out at night with the Jesus Film teams of Here’s Life Mission to Africa. On one of those nights I went with a team and after showing the Jesus film in Swahili I had the privilege of sharing my testimony, sharing the gospel, and inviting those in attendance to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

For some reason when I shared my testimony I included Karen’s life and death and how I had confidence in knowing that she was in heaven dancing with her Jesus and worshiping her God. I was also confident that I would see her one day. That confidence came from knowing that she and I had accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. After sharing how they, too, could have confidence that they could have a relationship with God through Christ Jesus I invited them to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Many, many people prayed to receive Jesus that night. That was cool.
I say all that to say this, unless Jesus comes back first we will all die. We will all taste death and our wretched bodies will decay. Jesus, on the other hand, will never taste death again. He will never feel it’s ghastly clenches around Him ever again. To be honest, that’s the kind of Savior I want. I want a Savior who has tasted the sweetness of victory over Satan and death.
If I know one thing about men it’s that they do not like to lose. I don’t know a man who can stand in front of me and say, “Oh, it doesn’t really matter who wins or who loses” and really mean it. I like to win. I don’t do anything without the thought of winning dwelling somewhere in my being.

What about you? You like to win? Have you tasted victory through Jesus Christ? You can. Click here to view an interactive presentation of how you can know for sure you can and will have victory. Or pick up the phone and call 1-800-NEED HIM. There are people there who want to and will help you find victory.

Begin living in victory,

Mike