Opening Scripture
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” — 1 Corinthians 9:22 NASB
A Lesson from a Withering Plant
Not long after Janet and I were married, we had a plant that looked hopelessly dead. Its trunk was brittle, its leaves stripped away, and in my mind it was destined for the trash heap. Yet something in me said, “Let’s give it one more try.” We placed it outside, exposed it to the elements, and waited.
To our amazement, what looked dead began to bud again. A shoot appeared. Green leaves returned. Life that I thought was gone began to flourish.
Spiritual Death or Spiritual Life
Paul wrote, “The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). There is no middle ground. Like that plant, you are either dead in sin or alive in Christ.
When we resist surrender to God, we wither. When we yield, His Spirit brings life. Scripture makes it clear: those who live according to the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). But those who belong to Christ are made alive by His Spirit.
The Advocate We All Need
John wrote, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1–2).
You are never beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness. The good news is that Christ not only pays for our sin but also restores us into fellowship with the Father. Jesus doesn’t just make bad people good — He makes dead people alive.
A Call to Choose Life
The green shoots on that plant remind me daily: there is always hope where God is present. But the choice is yours. You can continue in the flesh, living as if God is irrelevant, or you can repent and receive the abundant life Christ offers.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23
Conclusion
Are you dead or alive? Not physically — but spiritually. The plant that looked gone forever was given another chance at life. God is offering you the same opportunity, through Christ. The question is: will you remain in death, or will you come alive in Him?
