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Romanian Constantin Reliu strongly disputes the fact that he’s officially dead.
In 1982, Reliu left Romania for Turkey in search of work, and after many years of hearing no news from her husband, his wife got an official death certificate for him.
Earlier this year, Turkish authorities found Constantin and deported him. After returning to Romania, he found out that he was, in fact, officially dead.
Mr. Reliu was quoted in a local news report as saying, “I’m officially dead, although I’m alive” (The Associated Press, March 16, 2018).
The Christian should be able to claim the same thing about himself. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20a, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Christians should be able to prove that they’re now alive after dying, by displaying certain qualities, such as:
The right actions. James 1:22a teaches that Christians need to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Ephesians 2:10 declares that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” John wrote in 1 John 2:6, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” Proof of life for the now-living Christian should be evident in the way he lives his life.
The right attitudes. The now-living Christian’s mind should be filled with thoughts of things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).
The right attributes. The now-living Christian’s life should display virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Are you a now-living Christian? Prove it.
Troy Albers
Rosenberg, TX