Spiritual Respawning

In video games the player can often fail a challenge or “die”. The player’s controllable character, or avatar, ends up being removed from the game due to an error on the player’s part. This comes about often in multiplayer shooter games where the players try to ‘kill’ the other player characters. In fast paced games a small mistake or error in judgement can mean the end of your avatar’s life, and the player is pulled out of the game for a while.

Most games, however, grant the player multiple lives - multiple second chances - and let the player respawn. This means that the player is able to re-enter the game. The player is respawned - or revived! The player starts anew and gets a second chance at continuing the game.

As physical creatures we have only one life - once it’s over, it’s over! But as spiritual creatures we have been granted multiple ‘lives’, or second chances. We have been blessed with the ability to have this spiritual respawning; a spiritual renewal.

And it’s a good thing that we have this, as we are not perfect creatures. As in many games, and as with our physical life, our spiritual lives are subject to death; we can be removed from the ‘game we enjoy playing’; we can be removed from our fellowship with God.

A small mistake or error in judgement - a small deviation from God’s word - is all it takes to end our spiritual life. It is an easy thing to fall from God’s grace and into sin!

However, while our spiritual life can end, it can also begin again. We can be renewed in spirit and become a new person (Ephesians 4:20-24). We have access to a spiritual respawning through Jesus blood, which cleanses us from all sin, bringing us back into a right state with God (1 John 1:7).

As long as we are sincere in our concern over our mistakes and have a godly sorrow we can partake of this spiritual revival and salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). If we remain faithful and ‘stay in the game’, continuing to fight to the end of the match we will obtain the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and be a part of that great resurrection to come when we will live together with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4-8).

                -- John Thrower Jr.