Today's Devotional

October 30, 2003

Subject:  Because Dead Men Can't Talk...  

2Corinthians 3:14-16 - "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.  Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away."

We have a huge responsibility as believers in this world for the souls of the lost.  Someone said to me the other day though  that unbelievers have to "want" to be saved.  I thought about that and realized, how can lost, sinful man not only desire to know God, but also actively seek Him?  I finally realized that they can't know God through any effort on their part, because first of all, they are blinded as the verse above says.  Therefore they can't see the way.  Secondly, Ephesians 2:1 says that we "were dead in trespasses and sins."  The question then is, what can a dead man do for himself?  Can he seek God?  Doubtful.  That verse says that we were made alive in Christ.  So how then do the lost come to know God?  The answer is in our prayer of intercession.  

Look at this.  Without going into too much detail about the construction of the temple, remember that it was separated with a veil.  This allowed the chief priest to go into the "holiest of holies" portion of the temple to offer sacrifices for the people.  He was the intercessor for the people.  Well today, as the scripture above says, for those who are lost, not only are they blinded, but they also have no access to God.  The veil remains upon their heart so that they can not enter into that holy place where sacrifices can be made to God.  Therefore, for those who have turned to the Lord, we can go into that place and offer prayers on their behalf.  We're not offering prayers for their prosperity or good health, but the prayer that causes the removal of the veil from their heart.

So today let's understand our responsibility to intercede for the lost so that they can enjoy the same hope that we have and as Hebrews 6:19 says, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil."  Yes, we talk to God for them because dead men can't talk.

Carlen