Bible Thoughts March 28, 2004
Thoughts on the future and now:
The Hebrew writer stated, "It is appointed unto man once to die..."(9:27). The inevitable decree for all humans is death. Should one reach the age of 100, most consider that almost unbelievable. After all, man is fallible and his spirit inhabits a mortal body.
Hence, humans eventually die. Death is not the worst thing that can occur to a person. Failing to live the proper life as a Christian is the worst thing. When we have the knowledge that we are but mortal and that someday, the sentence of death will be upon us, we should give thought to our own lives and how we have lived(and are living) each day. What kind of behavior identifies me as a person? Am I useful to others? Do I care about my family? Have I guided those whom I love in the right way by the example that I set? While I am alive, use the power that was endowed by the Creator and live right!
All men are subject to death. All men are subject to be judged by Jehovah, the righteous judge. Judgment will not be as men define or practice it. Judgment will reveal the thoughts and actions of humans and sentence will be passed by the only one who can know all of the thoughts and intents of one's heart. So, my friend, you and I will someday answer for our conduct in this life. The lesson is simple: we must prepare for that judgment through our own attitudes and conduct. The word of God, applied to our hearts and practiced in our lives will prepare us to be ready when we stand before the righteous judge. While one may escape the consequences of one's thinking and behavior in this life, it will not happen in the day of judgment. All things will be revealed on that day.
"And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"(Matthew 10:28). The subject(and the idea) of hell is not popular with a large portion of mankind. Nevertheless, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed that such exists. Furthermore, he identified those who would be in an eternal hell. It is not difficult to understand what the New Testament says about eternal punishment. It is difficult for men, even religious teachers, to accept what the Lord taught. For those who put their trust in Christ and His word have no doubt about the existence of hell. They also understand that those who refuse to obey and follow the commands of Jesus Christ will suffer the eternal punishment of hell. There is no reason for one to be lost in such a place. The Lord shed his blood so that through obedience to his will, we will not suffer eternal punishment.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for
great is your reward in heaven..." (Matthew 5:12). The result of living a righteous life
through obedience to the Law of Jesus Christ is heaven. Not a
paradise on earth, since the earth will be destroyed at Christ's
coming, but an eternal home for the soul. As Jesus pointed out, it
will be "great!" Disciples of Christ want all people to go to heaven.
They sacrifice in order to influence them; they live righteous lives
in order to guide them; they study the word of God in order to teach
them. They want their friends, their neighbors, and yes--their
enemies to go to heaven. Christ died that mankind might have the hope
of eternal life in heaven. In order to have that life, one must
follow the Lord's commandments. When the gospel is heard, belief is
to follow, repentance must be evident, after confession one is buried
in water baptism. The remainder of one's life is to be dedicated to
the service of God. The reward: an eternal home in heaven!
"Think not that I came to destroy the
law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to
fulfill"(Matthew 5:17). When Jesus
Christ walked among men, he lived under the law of Moses. He lived a
life that fully complied with the requirements of that law. He
fulfilled the prophecies of a Messiah and He lived as a Hebrew during
his earthly sojourn. When he completed his life and his sacrifice,
the law of Moses was abolished. Today, we live under a new covenant,
the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are worthwhile lessons to be
gleaned from that old testament, but the requirements are not bound
upon any since the day of Pentecost. Sabbath observance, tithing, and
other commands of Moses are not part of the law of Christ. Christians
are free from the bondage of that law and submit themselves to the
teaching of Jesus Christ as revealed through inspired men in the New
Testament.
Jesus commanded his disciples to "Go
ye into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole
creation"(Mark 16:15). Since the law
of Moses was nailed to the cross, it was imperative to seek the
salvation of mankind through the gospel of Christ. The source of
religious truth today is the New Testament. Such is what inspired men
revealed and taught. When the last inspired man died, the gospel was
completely revealed. We have that gospel in the New Testament of
Jesus Christ. When the one who desires to please God searches the New
Testament, he can find the requirements of God for those of us who
live today. It cannot be found in the creedbooks and manuals of men,
nor uninspired "prophecies,"--it is in God's book. For almost 2000
years, the New Testament has stood the test. Why? It is God's book.
It reveals the will of God for all who lived since the day of
Pentecost, AD 33.
Jesus said, "All things therefore
whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also
unto them: for this is the law and the prophets"(Matthew 7:12). This statement is often called "the
golden rule." It is golden because of the message. If this principle
is applied in every life, there would be no thefts, no murders, no
wars, no cheating, lying, or sins that injure mankind. When one is
decent and caring, the example helps others to practice the same.
When one is energetic and dedicated to relieving the pains of others,
it helps the one who is in pain as well as the one who helps to
relieve such. If you do not want someone to hurt you, do not hurt
them. If you want someone to be civil toward you, be civil toward
them. If you desire someone to speak kindly of you, speak kindly of
them. The Lord knew best; he knew mankind; and he knew how to
instruct others on how to treat their fellows. Make ours a better
world: follow the Lord's teachings.
Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father who is heaven"(Matthew 7:21). Simply saying the name of the Lord is not enough for one to be acceptable to God. The one who truly wants to serve the Lord must also do his will. There are those who teach that one has only to believe and the Lord will give them salvation. It is obvious such is false. This passage makes it clear that, to be acceptable to the Lord, one must do "the will" of God. No one has a right to take away any of the instructions of the New Testament and no one has the right to add to what is revealed therein. The interest of Christians is in adhering to the word of God, without change or altering that word. When a garden is planted, pure seed is sown to produce the proper plant. When the seed, which is the word of God, is planted in a person's heart, it will produce a Christian, nothing more and nothing less.