TO HIM THAT OVERCOMES
by Chip Brogden
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life... he
that overcomes will not be hurt by the second death" (Revelation
2:10b,11b).
Practically speaking, Resurrection Life can be seen in our actions
and in our words. When some people open their mouths you sense death.
Their presence contributes nothing living. Instead, you have a
hollow, empty feeling when you are around them. The words may be
correct, but there is no life in what they are saying. It is as
though you are handling a dead thing. There is no Spirit and Life.
On the other hand, there are brothers and sisters who are naturally
very excited, bold, gifted, talented and persuasive. They seem very
much "alive", but this is not Resurrection Life either. How so? They
have not passed through death yet, and you cannot be resurrected
until you have died. They do not have the imprint of the Cross on
what they are doing. They have never been broken. They may be
naturally gifted at whatever they are doing for the Lord, but they
have not yet died. Outwardly speaking they may appear to be doing
some good, but the issue is not good versus bad, but life versus
death.