not dead-dead, mostly dead?

Today's Readings: Psalms 70,71,74. Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28, Romans 2:12-24, John 5:19-29

"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." 
                                                             John 5:25
In the classic film Princess Bride the hero of the story appears to be killed by the bad guy. His friends take him to see Max the Miracle Worker (Billy Crystal), who declares that he is not "dead-dead, but mostly dead" and by his magic arts, brings him back to life.
Here ends the reading of the Gospel.

We who are in Christ, according to the readings today, are not dead-dead, but mostly dead. Those who are are apart, are and will remain, dead-dead. A chilling thought. One that is not thought about often in the American Church. One that is told throughout the Bible. I am not judging. I am stating the fact that God has put forth. Do you believe this to be true?

In Romans 12:25 he tells us plainly that we will be judged by God at the End of Days according to the "secret" things of our hearts. The Greek here is "kryptos" (we get cryptic from this) and translates in the Bible to "hidden" or "secret" here. This word is used when Jesus talks about our giving and our prayer, both of which are to be done in private and should spring forth from the depths of our hearts.

There will be no hiding then, and there is no hiding now. Our attempts to hide from God will prove just as futile as Adam and Eve's in the Garden of Eden. So repent of your sin, repent of your rebellion, repent of your self-centered life and turn to God. He is faithful and just to forgive. In His is power, and dominion over all the earth. He knows your heart. Your actions and words belie where your trust falls. If you sin and grieve and try not to again, you are on the right path. If you have no grief, but only anger or pride. Repent.

This takes the rebirth of the Holy Spirit. Pray the prayer today we say each Sunday (collect for Purity);

Almighty God, unto Whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name: through Christ our Lord. Amen

This is Lent. A time to get honest. A time to allow God to make us New. Don't pass the gift of repentance up. Don't wait. I beg you.