Dead Or Alive?

The Feb. 24, 2024 issue of World Magazine includes an interesting piece in the section called “Quick Takes.” Authored by John Dawson, it is titled “Proof Positive.” The sub title reads “A U.K. woman is weary of telling the government she’s still alive and kicking.” Here is her story: “Eileen McGrath has repeatedly told government officials in the United Kingdom that she’s not dead. So far, they’re not taking her word for it. In an interview published Jan. 20 by The Guardian, the retired teacher said she’s been having trouble with her pension check since 2020. The 85-year-old has received multiple letters from a government agency inquiring about her living status. Each time, she wrote back affirming she was still alive. In December, she noticed her pension checks had stopped. Only after she complained further did her checks finally arrive in January. “Fortunately, I have enough money in my savings account to weather these incidents but I am sure that’s not the case for everyone,” McGrath told the paper. “Besides which, it’s unpleasant and distressing to be told periodically that they think you are dead.”

How frustrating!  To know you are alive but to have others think you are dead.  This story caused me to reflect on a similar but different situation in the New Testament.  In Revelation, the Risen Lord directs John to write messages from him to seven different churches.  Notice some of his words to Sardis: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1).

Do you see the difference?  Eileen McGrath knew she was physically alive, but others thought she was physically dead.  Some in the Sardian church thought they were spiritually alive, but Jesus knew they were spiritually dead. Thankfully, this spiritual death wasn’t fatal.  “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God” (Revelation 3:2).

God loves you!

Mike