Recently I was talking to a friend and made a comment about life. I said that it's this life and one more. That one more is eternity and that is where we will all go when we die. Every person has and will step into eternity when they die. Of course the question you have to ask yourself is what will that eternity be like? There are some who think that there nothing beyond this life. However, most people and even religions seem to identify some kind of a life beyond this one. You know, this life and one more.
As a Christian, I have identified that from Scripture that there is a life beyond this one. That as a believer in Jesus Christ and the Gospel and having accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I will spend eternity with Him and God. There will be a new Heaven and a new earth, but beyond that there is little I know because Scripture doesn't tell us.
The decision we make about life after this life is made on this side of death. That is what the Scriptures teach and explain to us. The same Scriptures also speak of an end to this world as we know it and that too is something that is common in the belief system of other religions and even those who don't espouse to a particular religion. Makes that this life and one more thought all the more relevant doesn't it?
As much as people are thinking about life after this one, they are thinking or even overthinking this life. People can become so focused on this life that the possibility or idea of a future one is lost in the now moments.
I like to say that I am like Farmers Insurance, "I know a few things because I've seen a few things". I know that life is precious and that no one should expect that they have a tomorrow. That good things happen to bad people but that bad things happen to good people. There always seems to be an injustice in this life, but that is what life always does.
This Sunday I will be preaching and the message is "It's all about the truth". We are going to consider the Book of Jude and learn about apostasy. So that you can have a little understanding about apostasy, it is the abandonment of one's religious faith, principles, or cause. I will get deeper into that idea in the message, but the point is that there was apostasy in Jude's day and he spoke to it. There is apostasy today and we need to speak to it, too.
Some of you might be wondering what am I going to talk about or am I focusing on something particular. The answer is no I am not. I am though saying that we all need to have some situational awareness of what is going on around us and in the world today.
In 1 Chronicles 12, there is the account of David at Hebron. While there David receives the kingdom of Saul. In the account, it lists those tribes that came and the numbers of them. In verse 32 of the Amplified Bible it says that-
Of the tribe of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, two hundred chiefs; and all their relatives were at their command;
We learn from Scripture that in that day there were those who understood the times and knew what to do. We might say today that they were wise and knowledgeable. Today, we have those who we might say are like the men of Issachar and who understand the times and know what we should do.
They are not the politicians, generals, doctors, bureaucrats to name a few. They are those who proclaim the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are missionaries serving in far away lands who sacrifice their lives so that others can hear and know the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are pastors, Bible study teachers, soul winners who are telling people they meet and know that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life,
They are people just like you who know the times and know exactly what people should do. You know how bad things are and that Scripture says it is going to get worse before the end comes. That when that end comes it is all over. The decisions have been made and the results are then known.
In God's plan for mankind, His Word describes for us a manner in which we are to live. A method in which we accept His Son and gain eternal life. As well, the truth that this world as we know it cannot and will not last forever. In Isaiah 65:17 God provides this word for us-
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
As the prophet declares of the new Heaven and the new earth, he also tells us we won't even remember this world or even have a passing thought of it. Yet, so much emphasis is placed on this life and a neglect of the better life to come. This is a thought that you should consider today as you go about the day. You will invest so much time and effort in today but God says ...the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
Every day is a new one and God's Word tells us His mercies are new everyday. Lamentation 3:212-23 says-
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
As you head out into your day, know that He has blessed you with His mercies. Know that a day is coming when we will be in His presence. It is certainly something to look forward to, my brother and sister.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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