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Feb 04, 2026 06:00am

Dead While Breathing: The Truth About Life Apart from Christ

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“I hope you’ve had the time of your life…”

I could hear the crowd singing the lyric loudly from the other side of the bathroom wall. Music blaring, lights flashing, people dancing, and here I was, standing at a sink in the bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror.

If this is what the time of my life feels like, if this is what being alive means, why do I feel so dead?

Isn’t it funny how backwards things are? The very things the world tells us will make us feel alive often leave us broken, empty, confused, and alone.

The truth is, we are dead. We may be breathing and our hearts may be beating, but because of our sins, we are dead.

And there is only one way to true life: Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1–6
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

What once was dead now lives — all because of the mercy of God.

I never truly knew the darkness I was in until the light of God’s Word pierced through. Only then did I begin to see the truth — how sad that life was, how shameful, how dead. And so many still believe that’s what being “alive” looks like.

My friends, I don’t know where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or where you find yourself today, but you need to know this:

Jesus loves you.

And that’s not the end. Jesus loves you even right now in your sin, but He loves you too much to let you stay there.

It’s impossible to walk with Christ and remain in darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

So what does it mean to walk with Christ?

Here are three ways we walk with Jesus:

First, study the Word.

Jesus is the Word of God. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” When we study Scripture — not just read it — the Word becomes alive to us. It shines light into the dark places of our lives and reveals our sin for what it truly is.

Second, yield to the Holy Spirit.

At the moment of salvation, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. He is God’s seal that we belong to Him. His purpose is to guide us, shape us to be more like Jesus, and convict us when we sin. As we read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit reveals truth and transforms us from the inside out. Because of Jesus, I no longer desire that old way of life. I desire Him — His holiness and His truth.

Third, spend time in prayer.

First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” This doesn’t mean bowing our heads twenty-four hours a day. It means talking with God throughout the day and listening for His voice. Pray before you read, after you read, while driving, before sleeping, when you wake up, before meals, and as you put the kids to bed. Let praise always be on your lips. When He answers, give Him glory — in the good and in the bad. He is still good.

If someone saved your life, wouldn’t you celebrate? Wouldn’t you tell others? Wouldn’t you praise them?

Jesus has saved ours.

So give Him praise. Give Him praise. Give Him praise in the highest. Now I sing, dance, and shout — for a whole new reason.

We are all on a journey to discover more about Jesus. If you need someone to walk alongside you, I’m willing. Go to follow.Lifeword.org and learn more about what it means to follow Jesus.

I’ll meet you there.