Spiritual Rigor Mortis

Spiritual Rigor Mortis

But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. -I Timothy 5:6
Rigor mortis is one of the recognizable signs of death (Latin mors, mortis) that is caused by a chemical change in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to become stiff (Latin rigor) and difficult to move or manipulate. Eerily, during rigor mortis, muscles may contract in seemingly random and bizarre ways even though the body is dead. - Wikipedia

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

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But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I Corinthians 2:14

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It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body,              and there is a spiritual body.

I Corinthians 15:44

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What is taking place within the church in America today? Why does it appear that we are dying? The answer can be found within God’s Word, The Holy Bible.

The Lukewarm Church

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.    -Rev. 3:14-16

Today in America, there are numerous churches; in some cities and towns, there is a church building on every other corner. But many are dwindling in number, and even closing their doors. What we see and hear is quite different. We see the huge, mega-churches, where membership is in the hundreds to thousands. The truth be told, even these have large numbers of members who don’t attend; it is camouflaged by the huge numbers who do.
We know the signs of a Spirit filled Christian (Romans 12:14-21; I Tim. 6:11). We also know the signs of a sinful life (Romans 1:26-32; I Cor. 6:9-10; I Tim. 6:3-10; II Tim. 3:1-9). The root of the problem is when we see the evidence of a sinful life in the body of Christ, the church.
I know, and accept, that this will offend many, but God’s truth will stand.
Lack of EMPATHY (understanding of another's feelings: the ability to identify with and understand somebody else's feelings or difficulties). Do we, as the church, care about our wounded brothers and sisters? When a fellow believer is hurting, or struggling, do we empathize and reach out to them? Or do we avoid and neglect them? Over the last few years, I have witnessed others within the church who have lost loved ones, fought cancer, dealt with rebellious children, lost a job, suffered a disabling injury or illness, fought depression or loneliness, and/or dealt with other issues. I have witnessed so many opportunities to reach out to others, only to see these opportunities ignored. I do not mean to attack my brothers and sisters, but to shed light on this area of concern. Paul stated that we could have many wonderful gifts, but if we “have not love (or charity), we are nothing.”

The Greatest Gift-Love

 ¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.                               I Cor. 13:1-13
Instead of waiting to let someone else connect, let each of us jump at the chance, as if there were no one else available to intercede. I believe every time the thought crosses our mind that “we need to minister to him/her,” that is God’s invitation to use us. When we look at the letters that Paul wrote, we see how important the letters, visit’s, prayers, etc, were to this man of God. As close as he was to God, he coveted the love and support of others. If he needed this support, how much more so the struggling new believer, homesick soldier, lonely housewife/mother,  cancer patient, inmate, orphan, aging parent, unpopular kid in school, Mexican immigrant who doesn’t speak English, and others not listed.                                            
(See also Matt. 26:36-38; Jesus in the garden)
If we begin to see the people around us as Jesus sees them, we will know they are dying inside without a Savior. And they will spend eternity without God unless we get to them in time. And then suddenly, the differences between Christians don't seem so important - only getting to those people. – Ron Hutchcraft  
We are not asked to act, we are commanded too. (Mark 16:15-16)

Lack of ENERGY (1. ability to do things: the ability or power to work or make an effort, 2. vigor: liveliness and forcefulness, 3. forceful effort: a vigorous effort or action)     Do you ever see, or hear of a need within the church, but you just can’t muster the strength to get involved? Do you have a neighbor who you know needs help? Do the people who live around you or your church need Christ?
I believe one of the greatest problems within the church today is our un-willingness to reach out to people. I am referring to “Spiritual Energy” here.
We hear statements like “They won’t listen; they like living in sin; we don’t get along; we’re not speaking, or I’ve tried to talk to them but they don’t want to hear it.” Please show me where these are biblical arguments.
We are called to step out of our comfort zone and reach people where “they” are, not where “we” are. Jesus and his disciples walked everywhere they went. It was hot and dusty and they had no air conditioning. The Jewish leaders constantly hounded them; there were robbers and roving scoundrels, as well as Roman soldiers who would harass people; yet they went. Most times, all we have to do is pick up a phone, open the door, or get in our air conditioned cars and take a short drive. But we don’t have time, we have nothing in common, I don’t feel comfortable around them etc, etc. If we knew Jesus would return 40 days from now, I bet many would run out the door and start doing what they should have been doing a long time ago. Many would still sit at home doing nothing but planning their excuse. Jesus told a parable about this. A Master gave talents to his servants. The first two invested the money, but the third did nothing. He was cast out and called a wicked, lazy servant. What he had was taken and given to another. We sit in judgment, but how many wicked and lazy servants cast stones at each other?    
                                                 
Consider some words from Mahatma Ghandi:

1. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

2.What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?

3. The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still voice within.

4. It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in international affairs. The machineries of government stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another.

5. As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side.

6. There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.

7. We must be the change we wish to see.

8. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

9. The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted.

10. Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy.

The saddest of his statements has to be: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."  

Is this not chilling? Does this not cut us to the very core? After hearing this accusation, how can we not fall to our knees and cry out to God in repentance? If this doesn’t cause you to tremble, you may very well have spiritual rigor mortis.   

Maybe one day, the following will be found on Wikipedia:            

Spiritual Rigor mortis is one of the recognizable signs of spiritual death that is caused by a change in heart removing usefulness after spiritual death, causing the hands and feet of the spiritual corpse to become stiff and difficult to move or use to do Christ’s work. Eerily, during spiritual rigor mortis, spiritual muscles may contract in seemingly random and bizarre ways appearing to mimic spiritual life even though the body is spiritually dead.