“1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.’ 5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ 9But Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” ~ Acts 5:1-11
I think that this is a sorrowful story, but very real in today’s world. I wonder how many people lie to the Holy Spirit and test God, unknowingly spiritually killing themselves. I wonder how many people are spiritually dead but don’t even know it because their deed was done in secret and their lie was perfect. I suppose the only question left would be, can you come back from spiritual death?
There may not have been hope for Ananias and Sapphira, but I believe that as long as your heart is beating, there is hope. For Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly. When you repent and turn away from your sin, I believe that Jesus will raise up your spirit. I believe you will not stay spiritually dead, but instead, you shall live. You shall resurrect, for Jesus is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.
But if you do not repent, if you do not turn from your ways, you shall die. Spiritually. Physically. Forever. So I beseech you, repent. For nothing that is on Earth or in the Heavens is worth Eternal Death.
Peace. Love. Go forth and RISE.
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