Last of 2 partsTHE narratives last week in this column proved that as per God's decree, there are those people who are categorized as 'the living dead' – spiritually dead.These are the people who have been sentenced to death by the Almighty Father to be dead while still living in this world – the people who live in the pleasure of sins.Accordingly, the wage of sin is death in the lake of fire on the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ – on the forthcoming Judgment Day.Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo has launched the Intensive Propagation activity of the global Church Of Christ so that its members have to actively involve themselves by way of inviting their relatives, friends, and neighbors to hear the words of God as being preached by the ministers and ministerial workers inside the Church Of Christ.The first part of an article titled 'Triumph over man's ultimate problem' written by Brother Siegfred T. Gollayan, INC Minister of the Gospel, published in the 'Pasugo: God's Message' in its November 2021 issue was quoted last week.This issue will deal with the remaining portion of the mentioned article with a sub-topic 'Triumph over death' which is hereto quoted.Triumph over death'Because of sin, man has been separated from God. And under such a condition, even if he earnestly seeks God's favor to be saved from eternal punishment, all his efforts will still be not accepted by Him (Isa. 59:2). Moreover, God considers man dead because of his 'transgressions and sins' (Eph. 2:1-2 NIV).'Thus, although man is physically alive, he is dead in the sight of God. Man must, therefore, find the way by which he may be removed from the condition of being spiritually dead due to sin so that he can overcome death. Fortunately for man, God has made a way for him to do so.'For those who are spiritually dead because of sin to be brought back to life, they must be in union with the Lord Jesus Christ: 'But God's mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. Itis by God's grace that you have been saved. In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world' (Eph. 2:4-6 GNB).'Christ is the only man who did not sin (1 Pet. 2:21-22), and so God does not consider Christ among those who are spiritually dead. Those who are spiritually dead or those who have sinned can become alive in the sight of God only through union with the Lord Jesus Christ.'This union was made possible when Christ created in Himself the one new man (Eph. 2:14-15) – with Him as the head and the Church His body (Col. 1:18). The Church that is the body of Christ is the Church Of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation). In the sight of God, Christ and the members of the Church Of Christ are one.'To be united with Christ, therefore, one must become a member of the Church Of Christ. Blessed are those who are in union with Christ or the members of the Church Of Christ because, although they used to be dead in the sight of God because of sin, they are now alive before Him because of their union with Christ. And because God considers them alive, they will be saved on Judgment Day.'If they die, the members of the Church Of Christ are assured that they will be brought back to life and be saved on Judgment Day because this is what the Savior Himself promises: 'And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it' (Matt. 16:18 GNB).'Death will not overcome the Church Of Christ members. They may experience death – the cessation of life – but if so, ultimately they will be resurrected to receive eternal life: 'Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall be changed. For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die. ... And when that which is mortal puts on immortality, and what is now decays is exchanged for what will never decay, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says: Death is swallowed up by a triumphant victory!' (1 Cor. 15:51-53 GNB, 54 The Passion Translation).'Thus, the promise of Christ that His Church will overcome death will be fulfilled. What riches, knowledge, and power in this world cannot conquer can be overcome in the Church Of Christ. Death, man's ultimate problem, can be triumphed over through membership in the Church Of Christ.'* * *If you want to know more about the things that you ought to do to be saved come Judgment Day – the Second Advent of Lord Jesus Christ, please call telephone numbers +6329814311/9811111/719-78000 or email queries to pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph.Antonio G. Papa, PhD, is currently a trustee of the New Era University in Quezon City and the second head deacon at the Local Congregation of Indang, Ecclesiastical District of Cavite South. He is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he served as a scientist 1 and consultant at Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education degree at the Don Severino Agricultural College now CvSU in 1978, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
