My Thoughts. . .

 01-24-2019

For some, this is our only home, so they will focus on the here and now.  No matter how much effort is put forth in staying alive, failure is the reward.  This is not our eternal home.  In youth the mirror is our friend and we spend time with it.  David’s son Absalom was extremely handsome with long flowing hair.  He was very proud of it, only getting one yearly haircut (2 Samuel 14:16 KJV, NKJV, RSV).  Although he would have cursed early baldness, and prayed that God would protect him from it, baldness would have saved him from his untimely death.  My mother-in-law used to say,

Beauty is skin deep,

Ugly is to the bone.

Beauty fades away,

But ugly hangs on.

All the medicine in the world cannot keep us alive (Hebrews 9:27).  One may celebrate more birthdays than the eighty years Moses spoke of (Psalm 90:10), yet not be able to enjoy them.  Bad health, an incapacitating accident, or a loss of memory can rob one of his expectations.  Some may delight in great wealth for a few years but leave it behind for others to fight over or squander.   Where are all the famous and rich of the past that made the news?  Their fate will be ours.  However, their choice of eternity may or may not be ours.  What do you foresee past your death?

Some are dedicated to proclaiming that this life is all there is, so get as much “gusto” as you can.  A rich man suggested, “Take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19).  He has been dead for 1,979 years!  We still have Sadducees today who do not believe in a resurrection.  Some believe we are the product of a blind accident evolving from natter that exploded out of nothing.  That may be your answer for your existence.  Some believe an eternal Intelligent Mind, created matter and man.  The first group mentioned has no hope of tomorrow and watches their time slip away with each new sunrise.  Howard Hughes used his millions to cheat death but failed.  The other group sees the Creator establishing a fellowship with His creation despite our rebellion.  He sent His Word to become a man.  That man would keep His Law with perfection and then serve as the payment for our sins.  In exchange, He would bestow his righteousness upon us (2 Corinthians 5:21).  We would be “new” and the “old” would cease to exist (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Despite our imperfections, His blood would keep us cleansed so we would no longer suffer condemnation (Romans 8:1).

 The Creator made man with the privilege of choice.  The two are 1) reject Him or 2) fellowship Him.  You and I are free to choose.  Both choices have consequences.  For some it will be eternal death.  For others?  “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21, 23).  Which choice is yours?

Are you waiting for death by lying to yourself that you can put it off, but know you can’t?  If so, you have no hope.  Age will reward you with unanswered questions.  You will be susceptible to bitterness.  That bitterness may motivate you to curse the God which you do not believe exists.   What profit is earned in that?  If you are nothing more than worthless dust, then one day you will be wiped away with Pledge Furniture Polish.

What about those who put their trust in Jesus?  They may be ridiculed.  Some may suffer beatings, imprisonment, and death.  Despite those or other outcomes, the believer will open his eyes from death and see Jesus as he is (1 John 3:2-3).  He will live in fellowship with His Creator throughout eternity.  As one song writer expressed it, “I Can Only Imagine.”  For some, it is foolish to follow Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection into that new life, but that is the choice which the believer has made (Romans 6:3-4)

What is your choice?