Jesus said "anyone who tries to gain his life shall lose it and anyone who loses his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39). In this verse, our Lord points out at least two categories of people that are among the "living dead".

The man of the world is seeking to live for the here and now. Such expression as "this is the life", and "now, that's living" in regards to earthly activities are a testimony in living for this life with little or no concern for the next. That person is "dead while he (or she) liveth" (I Timothy 5:6)

The second category, a minority in this world to be sure, are those who seek to die to this world in order to live in the next. It begins by saying no to self and yes to Jesus (Luke 9:23). It climaxes in being buried in the watery grave of baptism (Romans 6:3,4), and it culminates on the resurrection morning (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). There are those who die to self in the activities of serving others, though this is commendable, it is not eternal. For Jesus said this dying must be for His sake. Paul said "for me, to live is Christ, thus to die is to gain" (Philippians 1:21). The reason being Paul had been crucified with Christ, therefore there was no more Paul living, but Christ living in Paul. And the life he was now living was by the faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave Himself for him (Galatians 2:20).

ARE YOU DYING TO GO TO HEAVEN?
Steven K. Guy