Bible Thoughts July 5, 1998
"For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away"(James 4:14).
The apostle is teaching the brevity of life in this passage. As one approaches the end of life, the reality of this statement comes into focus.
When one is young, and plans are made for some activity in the future, it seems it will never get here. It may only be a few hours, or a few days, but the anxiety builds and is often manifest by continually asking, "How long is it till we can do it or when are we going to do it?" Time sure drags when you are young!
The vapor of which James speaks is the reality as one grows older. It was only yesterday that one was a student in school, not long after that--one is married, and a parent, and then the years rush by, grandchildren come along to start the process over again. And it was not that long ago, was it, dad? or mom? Having stated the import of the verse, it is time to consider the question.
What is your life? Is it not the sum total of all that you believer, that you do, the experiences you have, the emotions you feel, the dad-to-day activities, the relationships, and there might be no end to a list like this? Your life is what you are and what you do.
Your life is decided by the lifestyle you choose for yourself. While you may be influenced by a number of factors, in the end, it is your decision. Since one is a free moral agent, the choices of a lifestyle belong to the individual. If one chooses an evil path, that is the person's choice. If one chooses the righteous path, the individual has made the decision. If the lifestyle chosen leads one away from God, the family, and the righteous, the person has made a choice. The lifestyle of a person is a reflection of that person's faith, values, and judgment. Another factor: lifestyles identify the person with certain groups, organizations, etc. Make sure that the chosen lifestyle places one among righteous people. In making the choice of a lifestyle, let it be remembered, "For we must all be manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good of bad"(II Corinthians 5:10).
Your life is determined by the attitudes that you hold. There are many souls who are bitter, antagonistic and negative because they lack the proper attitudes for kindness, forgiveness, understanding, and love. Living a miserable life, they tend to make those whom they contact(or live with) miserable as well. These miserable ones tend to suspect others, imply motives, and spout forth accusations without foundation. They are opposite to the kind of life that Paul outlined in I Corinthians 13. Among the items mentioned by the apostle was love, faith, charity, kind, truth, hope, and endurance. A life lived by these standards will not end in bitterness but in joy and happiness.
Your life is influenced by the values you hold. When one values truth, he speaks truth, believes truth, and practices truth. An honest person practices honesty. A spiritual person demonstrates such in one's devotion to God. One who cares and loves his God also loves the children of God. When one is devoted to the marriage laws of God, a value is placed upon living one's life with a mate. A person who values the family will work to teach, guide, and love that family. And, yes, proper values lead to proper discipline. How many of today's problems could be solved it all of humanity learned to value the family and the ways of God.
Your life is influenced by the places you go. As an example, when you are determining how to spend your recreation time, the decision should be based upon the aforementioned items. Does it influence me to a correct lifestyle? in proper attitudes? to acquire the values of a Christian? Spending time and funds to have a good time in a bar or a casino or at a race track or among the worldly minded does say something about my life. Getting all the "gusto" out of life by following the ways of the world will not prepare one for the next life. Since one is a vapor, should the short time we spend on earth be in pursuit of activities that make one a strong Christian or waste our substance and time in the satisfaction of the lusts of the flesh?
Solomon said it best, "Let us hear the conclusion of the
matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole
duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every
secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it be
evil"(Eccesiastes 12:13-14).
An observation...Finding faults with
others will not deal with one's own problems. Because another has
faults that need to be corrected will not excuse my own. In some
cases, the faults are nothing more than what is perceived by one's
imaginations. When pointing out the faults of another, we need to be
able to turn to the word of God and use that as a basis for
correction. My opinion matters little if it cannot be sustained by
the word of God. Let us always aim to recognize the difference
between my opinion about someone(and that someone's behavior) and
what is revealed in the Law of Christ. Accusing others never deals
with my own problems and sins.
Just thinking...The awesome power that God
put in the universe was visibly demonstrated in the Mt. Saint Helens
aftermath of the eruption that occurred a few years ago. A mighty
mountain blew its top off filling the deep valleys in its direct
path, resulting in raising the floors by hundreds of feet. Viewing
such a wonder makes man aware of his own littleness in the vast
universe. And yet, God cared enough for man to send His Son to save
us from our sins.