This Side Of The Grave The Lost Are Just Mostly Dead

"Martha, the sister of him [Lazarus] who was dead, said to Him [Jesus], “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go." - John 11:39-44

Have you ever seen the movie, Princess Bride? Martie and I have maybe a thousand times when our girls were small. In the movie, Westley - the hero - was dead - or so everyone thought, but according to Miracle Max - he was only "mostly dead". Like Lazarus - and spiritually like you and me - and everyone who is dead in their sins without faith in Jesus.  

"And you He [God the Father] made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together." Ephesians 2:1-6

The Lost who are still living physically will not be completely dead until they face the judgement of the "quick (living) and the dead (in the grave)". For the lost who have already died physically, there is no hope. On the day of judgement, all who are lost will be condemned to Hell for eternity. Until that day - there is still opportunity for the Lost who are still physically alive to turn their hearts toward God. For the Lost on this side of the grave. Sometimes we are tempted to lose hope and count someone we know or know about as beyond hope - beyond salvation. I think that is just a sign of our frustration that we cannot, ourselves, save them - make them choose Jesus no matter how much we want to. And yet, salvation is available to them just as it was for us - by faith. There is nothing you can do for the Lost who are on the other side of the grave, but there is something you can do for those who are only mostly dead who are physically alive today. Be the Light and pray.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone