Dead or Alive

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read these words: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” A new creation clearly indicates a new life in Christ. The old deadness is gone, and we have a process for making a determination as to whether we are alive or dead.

One word we often miss in that verse is “look,” or “behold,” indicating a practice we need to understand with total clarity. There are  spiritual indication of new life in Christ! When one “looks” at what can be seen they can see that Truth.

Let me share a couple of factors that can be seen, Scripturally, that indicate life or lack thereof.

1. A lack of llove for the brethren – 1 John 3:14-19. Failure to be involved with the family of God in an ongoing intimate relationship indicates a lack of llove.
2. A lack of involvement in the “things” of God – Romans 8:5-9. Those who are more interested in themselves, their plans, and their stuff, than the Lord and His plans and “stuff,” have created serious doubt about LIFE. The atmosphere most pleasing to them is that of the World not the atmosphere of the presence of God.
3. A lack of new lifestyle – 2 Corinthians 5:17. Old thing have not passed away. New things have not come. Signs of an unregenerate heart are present – greed, bitterness, carelessness, divisiveness, etc.  -professing but not possessing.
4. A lack of spiritual growth – Temporary faith – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2.
5. Carnal living – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.
6. No fruit production – Matthew 13:5-6, 21.
7. Are you dead or alive? Whose responsibility is it to know? 2 Corinthians 13:5.