have you left the tomb?

The tomb is where dead bodies lay. It's a place where decay takes place. There is no life, no awareness or activity there.

When we come to Christ, via salvation, it's expected that change has taken place in our hearts which should lead to a change also in our lives. There's a difference that should be seen and those who knew us before conversion now see that we have changed.

Have we really left the tomb? Have we exchanged our grave clothes for righteousness? Are people seeing a radical change in our lives? Are we being rejected, scorned and disowned by some? 

Leaving the tomb means that we will encounter all sorts of rejection, suffering, mocking and the like. Leaving the tomb causes us to lose friends and be disliked. It's not easy to endure such treatment, but we should be encouraged and rejoice if we're suffering for Christ.

Leaving the tomb also means that we no longer engage in the same sinful behaviors as in the past. We have chosen to live in ways that please God. We exchange lying lips for what is truth. Our mouth speaks words of encouragement, words to lift the fallen and words that bring healing.  Since we have left the tomb, we no longer participate in what is evil for we now value what God values. We show love in exchange.

Have you left the tomb? It's a question to ask yourself. Evaluate your actions and behavior and really take an honest assessment of where you're at as a Christian.  Don't justify or give excuses for your behavior, simply address what needs addressing and make the necessary changes. 

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, you are a new person and a different person.