There probably are not a lot of times that we routinely think about our own deaths, after all, what we are all about every day is called “living” and “living” seems to be the farthest thing in our minds from dying. Actually, death is very much a part of life. Just recently, we lost a dear friend and church member to a disease that so quickly took his earthly life from him. It seems like just a few weeks ago we rode in a golf cart and enjoyed a great day on the links and now we have had to say a tearful goodbye and on this side of glory I’ll never be able to speak with him again. There have been tears of sorrow and sadness and there is going to be a period of adjustment for all of us, but especially his dear family.
I can well remember someone saying to me years ago that I shouldn’t get too comfortable holding tightly on to things, because you never know when God will ask for them back. As a pastor I have seen moms and dads lose a little baby or a young child and while it seems all too unfair, in God’s own wise providence, God makes no mistakes. So often we have lost friends and relatives, seemingly in the prime of life and while we can’t begin to know the reasons, it is a reminder to all to make the most of every moment you have, especially with others, for life is all too short.
The writer of Hebrews made it quite clear in chapter 9 and verse 27 when he said, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Barring the very soon return of Jesus Christ (as He has promised He will come at any moment) all of us are going to experience the truth of this Hebrews passage. Note also in James 4: 14b it says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” It makes no difference what your age or the current status of your health, it is best to remember that, at best, life is short – like a vapor of steam from the teapot — and that very life that God has entrusted to each of us should be lived to the best of our ability to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31 declares, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” In Colossians 3:17, Paul writes this truth. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” You see, God has some expectations of each of us that include investing every moment He entrusts to our care for His glory. Every moment we enjoy is another moment God has blessed us with. I can’t spend another moment with my friend either on a golf course or sitting to dinner or even working on a project at church. His life has not ended, but in Heaven with Christ it has only begun; but for me and for you, we need to be challenged to use each day as a wise investment and to do it all for Christ’s glory.
Everyone is going to exist forever someplace. For my friend, he is “living” forever in Heaven because he had a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Far too many, however are going to be “dying” forever, separated form God because they refused to accept Jesus Christ’s offer of full payment for their sin. Please, make certain that your eternal destination is settled. I have included some key Bible verses below that will help you make the right choice. Then, use each day and every moment as if it were entrusted to you by God to be used for His glory, because that is exactly what it is. Life can be so good, but Heaven will be more than we can begin to imagine.
Romans 2:10; 23 – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Remember, that life you possess is both a gift from God and to be treated as a “vapor” that appears and then almost as suddenly is gone! Keep looking up, for our redemption draweth nigh!
– Pastor Richard Jones, First Baptist Church of Elmer, NJ
