Slowly the old man walked toward the pulpit. He had been there many times to bring forth the Word of The Lord. Many years had been spent in serving his Master and he was once again about to proclaim the truth. But this time it was different, for he had a message that would … well it just would. It was not a message he was entirely comfortable in delivering as it would not only impact the congregation but also lay a part of him wide open.

He seemed to take a little longer than usual in opening his bible and shuffling his notes. The congregation, used to his quick wit and boundless energy, leaned forward in anticipation … something was different. It became unusually quiet and it seemed as if even the usual Sunday morning coughers and throat clearers were paying attention. The silence seemed to go on for an eternity before he spoke.

This morning I raised the dead!

What if that had been your pastor?  What would your reaction be? Surprise – disbelief – anticipation? A man whom you had grown to love and respect making such a bold statement like that would certainly be cause for some reaction. Why, there were testimonies in the Old and New Testaments about raising people from the dead but not here in your town. How could he have done that and nobody new anything about it … let alone those of us who are so close to him … who have known him for years? Who did he raise and where is he now? Is it someone sitting here in our midst?

As Diane and I were having our morning devotional time together the other day we were discussing our walk through this life and how God constantly and lovingly shows His patience for us when we get off track. There are so many things in this world that distract and confuse us that at times it seems impossible to get victory over even a few of them. We agreed that being in the world was hard enough … thank God we aren’t of it. As we set this train of thought aside and began to focus on worshiping The Lord in prayer Diane got very quiet. It seemed like a long time before she spoke … This morning I raised the dead!

Well, what was I to do with that? Those of you who are fortunate enough to know Diane are all sitting on the edge of your seats because if she said it … she means it! Like you, I sat there for a moment in stunned silence and waited for the other shoe to drop. She smiled with that twinkle in her eye that only she can get … I really did you know.

There are 8 times in the bible where someone has been raised from the dead in addition to the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s review them for a moment:

• Elijah raised the son of the widow woman … 1Kings 17:211
• Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman … 2Kings 4:35
• The man who was thrown into the sepulcher and touched the bones of Elisha … 2Kings 13:21
• The daughter of Jairus … Matt 9:25 & Mark 5:42
• The son of the widow of Nain … Luke 7:15
• Lazarus … John 11:44
• The saints at Jesus’ crucifixion (this one involved “many”) …Matt 27:52
• Peter raised Dorcas in Joppa … Acts 9:40

Now in the total history of the bible that isn’t very many. If you consider the years of history contained in just the Old Testament, to have only 3 have taken place during that time frame certainly shows us this is not an everyday occurrence. We can be encouraged though considering that next 5 took place since Jesus came on the scene.

Let me digress for a moment here. My favorite resurrection episode aside from Jesus is the resurrection of the saints at His crucifixion.  Can you imagine all those who had been mocking Him and crying for Him to “save Himself”? All of a sudden the veil in the temple is rent from the top to the bottom (because God did it from above, there is a violent earthquake and the bible tells us that even the rocks were rent … schizo. This word is the same for the renting of the veil and it means to split or sever. Even the rocks were being split in two.  And in the midst of this …

Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Did you ever notice what occurs in verse 54?  The centurion (and those with him) uttered those now famous words … Truly this was the Son of God. Perhaps there were more people uttering those words after His resurrection as they watched the now risen saints walk among them! And let’s not forget that the bible tells us of 13 separate appearances of Jesus after His resurrection and “many” saw Him. So, we certainly have a precedent set for the raising of the dead … I was just a little surprised when it was my wife that announced the most recent occurrence.

So as I sat there with my mouth hanging open she continued … as a matter of fact I raise the dead every day and sometimes more than once on the same day. Do you remember what our good friend Martin is always saying? Whenever his flesh is speaking in his ear and confusing him he always asks it the same question … “how can something that is dead be speaking to me?” Well, she smiled, I found out the answer to that question. It speaks to me because … I raise if from the dead!

Ouch! So there it was, the answer I had been looking for since … well for a long time. When I thought about that for the first microsecond it occurred to me that I have been successfully raising the dead for quite awhile. There always seems to be a battle going on for the attention of my mind and it was beginning to look like I was a responsible party here. How can something that is dead speak? Well Martin, I just found out!

The bible has a great deal to say about our flesh. I know we all know what it is but let’s all get the same definition from the Word of God.  Let’s look at the Old Testament first and see what the Hebrews thought it meant.

Isa 40:6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: KJV

Flesh (basar) in the Hebrew refers to the body, skin or nakedness. Peter (1Pet 1:24) quotes this same verse from Isaiah and he uses the Greek word sarx, which means flesh in the external rather than internal; body versus spirit.  This is the same word that John used to describe the entry of Jesus into humanity:

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  KJV

I am currently working on research for a book I hope to write on to help all of us get a better understanding of our foundation; A Walk Through Romans. In doing my research I have really come to understand Paul a lot better. When you read his letter to the Romans you come away with a much better understanding of this whole “spirit/flesh” issue and what a profound effect the flesh has upon our Walk With God. In Romans 8 Paul especially attacks our battle with the flesh.

Rom 8:1-14 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. KJV

In this passage I have underlined some key elements of the issue. First, we are told not walk after the flesh (heed the flesh or live by the flesh). Second, because God sent His own Son in the flesh, all condemnation for the believer has been removed. Note here that Jesus was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, not in sinful flesh. He was without sin and therefore His sacrifice was sufficient to remove sin from us who believe, so that there is no longer any condemnation (being declared guilty and deserving of judgment).

Now in verse 9 it is clear that because we “believe in Jesus” we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit … Spirit of Christ. Now here comes our case in point in verse 10 … and if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. There we have it! Our flesh was crucified with Jesus on the cross the moment we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. Our flesh was put right up there on the cross with Him and it has been reckoned as dead (Rom 6:11). But understanding that and living it is not always easy. Let’s take a look at Paul’s struggle with the same thing. This is what I like to call one of Paul’s “Bad News/Good News” pieces.  Let’s look at it in the Living Translation as I think it hits home a little more clearly:

Rom 7:15-23 I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to – what I hate. 16. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. 17. But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things. 18. I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t. 19. When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. 20. Now if I am doing what I don’t want to, it is plain where the trouble is: sin still has me in its evil grasp. 21. It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22. I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; 23. but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? TLB

We have all read this section many times and I am certain that it has encouraged you as it has me. If Paul had these struggles then I don’t feel so bad. But wait (sounds like one of those infomercials) … he doesn’t leave us there without hope:

Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free. TLB

Well then, Paul, if Jesus has set us free why did you still have such a struggle and why do I?

Rom 6:9-11 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but live unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV

Because Christ died for our sinful nature and He died only once, then we who have died with Him in His crucifixion have died to sin as well. What we need to do is get our mind straight and reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin. We are to live unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So how are we getting into trouble?  Simple, we keep raising our old nature from the dead.

Paul tells us to mortify our flesh two times in his writings (Rom 8:13 & Col 3:5). In fact these are the only times that word is used in the New Testament. It is a very descriptive and straightforward term. It means to become dead, put to death or kill.

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. KJV

Here we not only have the problem but we have the answer. If we live after the flesh (resurrect that which is dead in our life) then we are going to die (suffer the consequences). But if we “kill” the flesh (refuse to give the flesh what it wants) through the Spirit (Holy Spirit) we will live.

Now let’s take a breath and get to the bottom line.

When we became born again we crucified our flesh with Jesus on the cross. When we were baptized it was symbolic of our dying with Him and being resurrected with Him.  It was our choice to kill the flesh and it was His sacrifice, His blood and His Spirit that did it; the same Spirit that now lives within us (1Cor 3:16). Jesus paid the price for our spirit to be renewed, but as we all know that didn’t renew our mind. It is within our mind that the battle rages; see my article on The Battleground.

We can win the battle for our mind every time if we focus on the Spirit and not the flesh. Every time that voice of the flesh begins calling from beyond the grave we need to hearken to the words of my friend Martin … how can that which is dead speak to me? The moment we listen to it we raise it from the dead.  Or to put it another way, we take it down from the cross again where it was crucified with Jesus.

We are to walk in the Spirit because that is our new nature. That is what the new birth is all about … a reborn spirit that is in communion once again with its creator. When we think about it in those terms it’s easy to see why the flesh wants to rise up.  Our mind, having not been renewed when our spirit was, still wants to listen to the old familiar voice. To end that misery God has given us His Son, His Spirit and His Word.

It’s the truth contained in the Word of God that renews our mind and it is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who reveals it to us. Remember, the truth will NOT make us free. Read that verse again:

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. KJV

It is the truth that you know that makes you free.  Jesus Himself cannot make you free … it is knowing and believing in Him that makes you free. Likewise, it is The Word that you know that will renew your mind. The more Word you know the stronger becomes your spirit and the more ammunition you have against the flesh.  The flesh cannot stand up against the Word of God.

Diane’s comments the other morning struck a nerve. I am the one who controls the voice of the flesh. It is up to me to use what God has given me to make certain that what has been reckoned dead … stays that way. A great deal of the suffering in my life has been the direct result of my listening to and heeding the voice of my flesh. Like Paul, I could cry out … is there no relief, is there no help? But I already know the answer. Jesus took my flesh with Him on the cross … He died … it died … end of subject. I am a new creature and the old creature is dead (2Cor 5:17).

If there ever was a man who knew the struggles of the flesh it was Peter. He sums it up for us:

1Peter 4:1-2 Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, 2. and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires but will be anxious to do the will of God.  TLB

What is suffering? It is denying the flesh what it wants. When we do that we take away sin’s power over us. The flesh will only cry out for what it wants when it wants it … which is usually NOW! We need to remember that our flesh profits us nothing and therefore to submit to it is a useless exercise. In fact, when we submit to the voice of the flesh it is always going against the spirit. I will close with a personal example to see if I can tie it all together.

More often in my life when God has asked me to do something it usually goes against my mind. It often seems the opposite of what I would do or goes against the grain of what I want to do. Often it flies in the face common reason. That is when I hear that voice in my head … you can’t do that … that doesn’t make sense … what will they think … you don’t know how to do that … you’re going to look stupid … that is the craziest thing I have ever heard … you think that’s the voice of God … if you do that you are going to be miserable … as a matter of fact you are going to be in big trouble … this is going to take you under!

Now, from Diane’s perspective, the moment I listened beyond you can’t do that, I just raised my “flesh” from the dead. I just gave it a voice. Instead quoting friend Martin I have opened up a conversation with a dead man. Now doesn’t that make a ludicrous picture … standing there talking to a corpse and, worse yet … listening and believing what he’s saying.

God has given us His Spirit and it is His voice that we are to be attentive to. Remember, we are all sheep and it is the voice of the Good Shepherd that we hear and no other (John 10:27). But, the sheep had to learn to recognize the shepherd’s voice and so do we. We can’t expect to tell the difference if we don’t spend time with Him. Be willing to invest your time in prayer; prayer that involves a lot of listening. Many times I find myself running off at the mouth and never giving the Lord a chance to respond … usually wondering why I don’t hear His voice.

Yes Diane, you’re right. We can all raise the dead. We can do it with such ease and regularity that it becomes commonplace. But in doing so we open ourselves up to the most ungodly advice we can ever get. We would never accept from someone else what we often take as gospel from our flesh. Only our spirit, being fed by His Spirit, brings the voice of the Good Shepherd. It’s the voice that always encourages and never discourages; always convicts and never condemns; always brings truth and never lies; always brings light and never darkness.

Yes, we can raise the dead … but at what cost?