The condition of every man by nature concerning his soul is that, he is spiritual dead. I say this is just the state of the vast majority of people around us in spiritual things,  God calls to them continually—by mercies, by afflictions, by ministers, by His word—but they do not hear His voice. The Lord Jesus Christ mourns over them, pleads with them, sends them gracious invitations, knocks at the door of their hearts—but they do not regard it.

The crown and glory of their being, that precious jewel, their immortal soul, is being seized, plundered, and taken away—and they are utterly unconcerned. The devil is carrying them away, day after day, along the broad road that leads to destruction—and they allow him to make them his captives without a struggle. And this is going on everywhere—all around us—among all classes—throughout the length and breadth of the land. You cannot deny it. And what then, I ask, can be said more perfectly true than that which God says—we are all by nature spiritually dead?

We may not like this perhaps. We may shut our eyes both to facts in the world, and texts in the Word. But God's truth must be spoken, and to keep it back does positive harm. Truth must be spoken, however condemning it may be. So long as a man does not serve God with body, soul, and spirit, he is not really alive. He is not filling the place in creation for which he was intended; he is not using his powers and faculties as God meant them to be used.

Life is the mightiest of all possessions. From death to life is the mightiest of all changes. And no change short of this will ever avail to fit man's soul for heaven. Yes! it is not a little mending and alteration—a little cleansing and purifying—a little painting and patching—a little whitewashing and varnishing—a little turning over a new leaf and putting on a new outside that is needed. It is the bringing in of something altogether new—the planting within us of a new nature, a new being—a new principle—a new mind. This alone, and nothing less than this, will ever meet the necessities of man's soul. We need not merely a new skin—but a new heart.

Whatever part of the globe we live in, our eyes need to be opened—naturally we never see our sinfulness, guilt, and danger. Whatever nation we belong to our understandings need to be enlightened—naturally we know little or nothing of the plan of salvation—like the Babel-builders, we think to get to heaven our own way. Whatever church we may belong to, our wills need to be bent in the right direction—naturally we would never choose the things which are for our peace; we would never come to Christ.

Whatever be our rank in life, our affections need to be turned to things above—naturally we only set them on things below, earthly, sensual, short-lived, and vain. Pride must give place to humility—self-righteousness to self-abasement—carelessness to seriousness—worldliness to holiness—unbelief to faith. Satan's dominion must be put down within us, and the kingdom of God set up. Self must be crucified, and Christ must reign. Until these things come to pass, we are dead as stones. When these things begin to take place, and not until then, we are spiritually alive.

When the children of  Israel where to enter the land of promise in Canaan   the Lord commanded them. In Deut Ch30 v19.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him for the

 “LORD is your life”

 

The choice  we have  to make  in the above question  involves  the Crucifixion

To choose life is to accept  the fact of Easter, that Jesus Christ died for sins. Read the Gospel of John Ch3. V16-17

     

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that   whosoever  believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the  world  through  him  might be saved.

The Crucifixion demands a choice we cannot ignore it.

 Question  Are you dead or alive?.

The condition of every man by nature concerning his soul is that, he is spiritual dead.

Adapted from a sermon  Dead or Alive   By JC Ryle

The Christian Message