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(Blue entries in the meditation are links; clicking on them will take you to the verse(s) in the New International Version; clicking on the other versions on that page will show the same verses in the version you selected. Occasionally links on my page are to another file of mine. On this page entries in green are the words of Scripture (NIV). If you wish to pursue your own study on issues raised try this link: The Online Study Library. An additional translation with many notes can be found at Net Bible.)
In the last meditation we looked at what was important to God.
We looked at the issue which 'moved' God (the Father) to send
his only Son to die a sacrificial death on the cross. That issue
was sin or the absence of righteousness, and its consequence--eternal
'death' (because the ugliness of sin being a complete contradiction
to the holy nature of God necessitated a permanent separation
from Holy God). The planned sacrificial death of Christ was not
designed to remedy the momentary (in comparison with eternity)
unhappiness of man. It was not to abolish the trouble and hardship
that get in the way of man's enjoyment of life on this side of
physical death that God sent his Son into the world. But the issue
that was paramount in God's eyes--unrighteousness and the separation
it would lead to--that he did do something about.
Here in part II (of the meditation that began in 10/99) the results
of Christ's work are not evaluated in terms of what is important
to God but in terms of what is important to man. From man's point
of view the first issue is, 'What was the principal benefit that
flows from the work of Christ?' A closely related question is,
'When does anyone come into full possession of that benefit? When
does anyone come into full possession of the inheritance that
Christ earned for him or her?'
Was there a 'principal and irreversible' benefit of Christ's work
which the apparently universal experience of physical death does
not invalidate? Was there a result of Christ's
sacrificial death on the cross that was not just a delusion that
functioned as a tranquillizer for the moment? Answer: Yes. The
removal (for believers) of the punishment of death. "For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Eternal life is not just an abstraction or a minor benefit that
is added to the benefits believers may have in this world. Eternal
life with all its blessings is not bonus that is tacked on to
the main package that the Gospel announces. No. The truth, the
perspective of Christianity and the Gospel, the central focus
of the Christian message is just the opposite. The focus of the
work of Christ is on life and death issues--eternal life and eternal
'death.' The main objective of the work of Christ was the creation
of blessings which do not cease to have significance and
do not cease to be felt after an individual's body disintegrates.
"Where, O
death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The
sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks
be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1
Corinthians 15:55-57) The overcoming
of death is the foundational benefit of the work of Christ that
'paves' the way to all God's eternal blessings. If death were
not overcome no blessing could be eternal. To say the samething
in different words we would say, 'Without the overcoming of death
any benefits resulting from Christ's sacrificial death couldn't
be anything but limited in duration.' To think that he through
whom the world was created (Colossians
1:16-17; Ephesians 1:10,20-21; Hebrews 1:2-3) could only bring about such trifling, temporary,
laughably slight changes in life is a gross insult to Christ's
majesty. The overcoming of death has to be basic to the Christian
message.
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
What is 'good' about the message of Christianity? It says that
the greatest peril that man faces has been overcome. It says that
death has been overcome. "Jesus
said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes
in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes
in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26) Is not this belief an essential element of
the Christian faith?
The apostle Paul spent his post-conversion
life spreading the message of Christianity. This is how the apostle
described the importance of the death and eternal life issue:
"More than
that, we are found to be false witnesses about God, for we have
testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he
did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For
if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are
still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:15-17)
Death, the 'Grim Reaper', the biggest consequence of sin is dealt
a death blow (in the case of believers). "For the wages of sin is death, but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Is there any event or happening in the life
of human beings that unbelieving scientists, medical researchers,
and other sane people put out more effort to avoid or put off
than death? This is not surprising.
The instinct of self-preservation is universal--and natural in individuals to whom death is the 'end' and not the 'gateway' into the eternal presence of the Lord. Perhaps the most familiar verse in the New Testament --John 3:16 speaks of the reward of eternal life. In the book of Hebrews we are told that the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ was designed to deal with just this issue. "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too [that is, Jesus] shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15; see also Isaiah 25.8; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55; 2 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 1:18)
From man's point of view what could be better news than what the Gospel announces? What an awesome change the work of Christ brought about for 'whoever believes.' Referring to the body of believers the apostle Paul reminded them, saying, "Our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20-21) How different the Christian's attitude toward death is. The apostle gave his testimony about his attitude towards death in these words, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21; see also 3:8)
One of the benefits of that citizenship is eternal or everlasting life. In the last book of the Bible we hear almost the last words of the apostle John speaking of his vision of the end of history when God's promises will be fulfilled. The apostle says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" (Revelation 21:3-4)
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
There is a great contrast between temporary accomplishments and
permanent accomplishments. The reality of physical death as the
end of life is a reality that only the accomplishment of Christ
on the cross dealt with. The healings that Christ and the apostles
wrought on earth were temporary. Even the miraculous acts of raising
of the dead by such 'people' did not produce everlasting results.
The bodies of the individuals they raised eventually disintegrated
like the bodies of all God's creatures. Those healings were real
and wonderful for the individuals affected--while they lasted.
But even those results did not measure up to the permanent
and irreversible benefit which the Son of God's death on the cross
accomplished (and which the Gospel is the report of). The great
and everlasting benefits which the mission of Christ accomplished
appear later in God's drama. The 'larger' part of God's drama
takes place after death (or after the second coming of Jesus Christ).
If the overcoming of death was not a fundamental truth of the
Christian message there could be no eternal benefits. Of course,
from man's point of view, the overcoming of death was a fundamental
and irreversible benefit of Christ's mission.
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
When an ambulance or other emergency vehicle is on the road with
its siren blaring non-emergency vehicles on the road are expected
to get out of the way. Why? Because of the widely accepted belief
that the mission of the emergency vehicle (a mission in which
the passage of time may be crucial) is of supreme importance.
Why is the mission of the emergency vehicle considered of supreme
importance? Because a life and death issue may be involved. But
the issue of life and death which the ambulance brings to mind
pales before the issue of eternal life and eternal 'death.' What
was at stake when Christ died (as planned) on the cross? Answer:
a more than life-and-death issue. And it is just that,
the more than life-and-death issue, that reveals the awesome value
of the sacrificial death of Christ for everyone who believes
(John 3:16). The value and dimension of God's sacrifice cannot
be seen or appreciated by focusing on the small picture, that
is, by focusing on what takes place in this world up until the
time that death ends our experience in this world.
What the sacrificial death of Christ earned is for ever. It is
an inheritance that does not cease to have any meaning or value
when the body dies. The words of Jesus point to what is at stake
for human beings: "For
whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for me will save it. What
good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or
forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:24-25; see
also vv. 12:16-21)
Because of being adopted into the family of him who had the power
to create the world believers have a rich and enduring inheritance
to look forward to. "Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great
mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,
that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer
grief in all kinds of trials." (1 Peter 1:3-6; see
also Acts 14:22; James 1:12; Colossians 1:12; Ephesians 1:18) It was knowledge of this fact or truth
that motivated the apostle Paul to live as he did--"For our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all." (2
Corinthians 4:17) "I want to know Christ and
the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in
his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow,
to attain to the resurrection from the dead.... I press on towards
the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards
in Christ Jesus.... " (Philippians 3:10-11,14; see also 2 Timothy
4:7-8)
But there is far more involved in what God brought to pass through
Christ than making changes for a portion of humanity in human
nature or human circumstances. Far more. All of creation is involved.
The Bible says there will be "a
new heaven and a new earth" (2 Peter 3:11,13) Speaking
of Christ the Bible says, "He
is before all things, and in him all things hold
together.... For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell
in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through
his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:17,19-20; see
also Ephesians 1:10,22; Philippians 3:21) Sometimes
the verbal pictures in the Old Testament are the best description:
"'The wolf
and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like
the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither
harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,' says the LORD." (Isaiah 65:25) The
Bible says, "the
creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and
brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21) Considering
everything that is to take place is it any wonder that the apostle
Paul said, "I
consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us" and
that "The
creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed"?
(Romans
8:18,19)
Perhaps the statement that best puts into words the mind-blowing
scope of what God has done is found in the letter to the believers
at Corinth. The apostle Paul reminded them of the status God had
bestowed upon all genuine believers, saying, "So then, no more boasting about men!
All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (=Peter) or
the world or life or death or the present or the future--all
are yours," (1Corinthians
3:21-22; see
also Romans 8:35-39) How big is
what is at stake! More is at stake than the life-and-death issue
that the presence of emergency vehicles reminds us of. How pregnant
with meaning is the declaration to believers that "our citizenship is in
heaven." (Philippians
3:20)
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
Another way of setting before our minds what the Gospel, the message
of Christianity focuses on is to set our eyes on those declarations
of God in which he tells us or shows us what he wants all men
to focus their attention on. This, of course, can only be true
in the case of believers. Hence, the examples of believers in
the Bible and that of our Lord himself become illustrations of
what God would have believers focus on.
What do the redeemed people of God focus their attention on? On
that time and those benefits that physical death does not
make meaningless to them. What does God want us to focus our attention
on?--On things above--that is, things that time and death don't
put an end to, things that physical death does not nullify.
What would our God have us to focus
on? God's facts. On the 'things above'. Set your heart upon them.
That is what the Bible instructs believers to do--to set your
heart on the things above. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things." (Colossians 3:1-2)
That is the teaching that appears again and again in the Bible.
Look at God's facts and behave accordingly. How many times Jesus
exhorted his listeners to remember the position believers are
in. That is the fact to remember. That is the thought Jesus' first
disciples and every subsequent believer needs to feed upon. And
it is because of their unique position in God's favor that believers
are exhorted to behave or live their lives in certain ways. How
believers live is the response. Fact and response. Or, perhaps
we could say because we focus on the facts (on what God promises,
on what God says will come to pass) we are motivated to
persevere.
Yes, there
is a close connection between what individuals expect in the future
and the way they behave. People
choose how they behave because of the situations that they believe
they will face in the future. This is a fundamental truth about
God's creation. For example, if an exam is expected some students
will study (or behave in a particular way to prepare for that
expected event). Most people take raincoat if they expect rain.
What do Christians
expect? What God says is coming.The Day of Judgment. (Acts
17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Peter 3:7) "For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in
the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) Many
times Jesus referred to a future event--his second coming. He
said to his disciples "So
you also must be ready." Why?
"Because
the Son of Man [a
title Jesus used of himself] will
come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful
and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants
in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It
will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so
when he returns." (Matthew 24:44-46; see
also 1 Peter 1:13-17) Fact
and response.
How many times the connection between
the fact of the believer's position=the destiny he has to look
forward to and the appropriate behavior in this world is included
in the same passages of scripture. In the apostle Paul's second
letter to the congregation at Corinth first we hear the fact presented:
"For our
light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all." Because believers know this fact they do (or
should) respond accordingly. "So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen." Then
more facts are presented: "For
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now
we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have
a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by
human hands." Then we are
told more about the believer's response: "meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed
with our heavenly dwelling" (2 Corinthians 4:17--5:2; see
also 1 Peter 1:6-7; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 John 2:15-17) Fact and response.
The connection between behavior now and the promised event in
the future is set forth in these words in the book of James: "Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial." Why
is that? Because the fact is "when
he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12;
see also Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4; 2 Timothy 4:6-8) And who will persevere? He who believes. He
who can and is counting on the promises God made. "God, who has called
you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Corinthians 1:9) "Therefore, holy brothers, who share
in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle
and high priest whom we confess." (Hebrews 3:1; see also vv. 3-4; 10:23; Deuteronomy
7:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 3:13; 2 Timothy 4:7-8) Without faith, without belief
in the promises there can be no desire to persevere in pleasing
God. (Hebrews
11:6)
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
We have been looking at some of God's exhortations to focus on the 'things above'. Now let's move on to consider the example of believers in the Bible and that of our Lord himself which shows us what it is that believers are to focus on.
There is the example of saints many of whom are never named who were looking to, and looking at, what God had promised.
Jesus Christ, Moses,
the apostle Paul. Where were they looking? First, the example
of our Lord. What vision governed his life and conduct? "Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) It is this attitude that should be governing
the thoughts and behavior of believers in this world. This is
what God says to me:
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with
God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8)
Where was
Moses looking? Until about he was about 40 he grew up surrounded
by the pomp, riches, and wisdom of ancient Egypt. But, as the
Bible says, "He
chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace
for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures
of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." (Hebrews 11:25-26)
Where was the
apostle Paul looking? "I
want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in
his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from
the dead.... I press on towards the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.... "
Then he speaks
of the position and attitude of all believers: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And
we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his
control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be
like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:10-11,14,20-21)
They were focusing on what Christ had earned for them. The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
Disregarding what God says has consequences. Focusing our attention
on what God wants it to be focused on is not just a wise suggestion
or good advice; it is a command. A command of the Creator. Just
as focusing our attention where God wants it to be has consequences
or rewards doing the opposite equally has consequences. The order
God built into his creation cannot be rearranged by us. The bible
is blunt and to the point. It makes it very clear that there are
consequences of what our minds and hearts are set upon. "He will punish those
who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out
from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful
nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows
to please the [Holy] Spirit, from the Spirit will
reap eternal life."
(Galatians
6:7-8;
see
also 1 John 2:15-17)
"But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart,
you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's
wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." The Bible says, "...for those who are
self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will
be wrath and anger."
(Romans
2:5,8)
"For God
will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. " (Ecclesiastes 12:14; see also 1 Corinthians
4:5)
The order God
built into his creation cannot be rearranged by us. While the
unbelieving world does not accept the existence of God or the
reality of eternal life many people nevertheless recognize that
there is order in the world, cause and effect, and all that. People
expecting exams study to prepare themselves. Athletes train to
prepare themselves for future tests or competitions. 'No pain,
no gain.' That is their guiding principle. The purpose of the
athlete in training is not to live for the moment (i.e., 'eat
drink and be merry') but learn to endure pain (part of the process)
that will equip him to win the prize in the future. What we 'see'
in the future conditions what we do in the present. The apostle
Paul uses the analogy of athletes in training to describe his
own behavior as a Christian. He says, "Everyone who competes in the games goes
into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not
last; but we [who
believe God] do
it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not
run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating
the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after
I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for
the prize."
(1
Corinthians 9:25-27)
If unbelievers
sometimes guide their behavior in the present according to how
they believe it will affect their chance at glory in the
future can it be right that believers who know of the judgment
and of eternal glory do less?
Jesus illustrated the point that where the heart is does make
a difference. "And
he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man produced
a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no
place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do.
I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will
store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You
have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy;
eat, drink and be merry."' But God said to him, 'You fool!
This very night your life will be demanded from you.' Then who
will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it
will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not
rich towards God."
(Luke
12:16-21;
see
also vv.22-23; Matthew 6:19-20,28-33)
According to the Bible
what an individual considers his treasure is an either-or situation. "You adulterous people, don't you know
that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who
chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4) Jesus put it this way: "No-one can serve two
masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve
both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)
In the letter of the apostle John not only is the same 'either-or-ness'
mentioned but the contrast between the results of love for the
temporary things of this world versus the eternal results of obedience
to God is also brought out: "Do
not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in
the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and
the boasting of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father
but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but
the man who does the will of God lives for ever." (1 John 2:15-17; see also Philippians
3:18-20)
What we believe about our future does make a difference. What
we believe about the future (eternal separation from God or eternal
life in his presence should color every activity or circumstance
in the present. What lies ahead? The Bible gives us the facts:
"We must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may
receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad."
(2
Corinthians 5:10)
What a relief
it is that believers know now that they will not be condemned
in the judgment because the Bible tells them that God will accept
Christ's record of righteousness as the believer's own. (Romans
8:1; Isaiah 61:10)
The apostle Peter told or reminded believers of a certain future
event that will take place--"But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear
with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth
and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will
be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to
the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about
the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will
melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking
forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:10-13)
What we believe to be true does make a difference. Whether we
believe only the present is reality or that God's drama includes
much more than that makes a big difference. If it is a
fact, says the apostle Paul, that there is no resurrection then
grabbing for the pleasures of this world while you are alive ('you
only go around once') is a sensible way to behave. Speaking of
his own behavior he says, "If
I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what
have I gained? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and
drink, for tomorrow we die." (1 Corinthians 15:32; see also
vv. 15-17)
The Bible says
bluntly, "If
only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied
more than all men."
(1
Corinthians 15:19)
We had better
remember the future which God controls. We had better remember
what is at stake!
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
While it is a fact that the focus of the gospel is on eternal
life and eternal 'death' issues that does not mean that what happens
in this world (prior to our physical death or the second coming
of Christ) is of no concern to God. Quite the contrary. Both time
and eternity are equally parts of God's 'Drama.' It is a denial
of God's total control and total plan to believe that what happens
in this world has no value or meaning in God's eyes. What is important
to God is not that individuals have the proper intellectual understanding
of the meaning of this world but that they do not set their heart
upon it. The issue is, 'Where is our heart'? The issue is,
'Where is your treasure'? Is your treasure in this world? The
apostle John brings out this point when he says, "Do not love the world
or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting
of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the
world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does
the will of God lives for ever."(1 John 2:15-17) Jesus expressed the same truth many times
as when he said, "So
do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?'
or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first
his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well."
(Matthew
6:31-33;
see also Luke 12:16-23)
What happens in this world prior to the disintegration of the
body is as much part of God's plot as what happens after physical
death. The time spent on this earth (before physical death) is
organically connected to what happens afterward. All the segments
or 'time zones' in God's plan are connected in the profoundest
ways. It is a terrible error to separate the eternal from the
present. The Bible does not teach us that God's purposes or control
only relates to eternity. That is what makes the message of Christianity
unique--that God himself not only created everything that is but
that he 'intervened' in his history especially in the sending
of his Son (Jesus the Christ) to change the destiny of of all
who truly believe in what the Son of God accoomplished in history
on their behalf. To think that the eternity which follows the
physical death of believers makes their behavior in the this world
irrelevant or of no concern to God is ridiculous. It is a great
sin to not belief that there is a profound connection between
history and eternity as God's word reveals. (Acts
17:30-31; Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:21; Luke 14:13-14; John 5:29;
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Galatians 6:8; 2 Peter 3:10-14;etc.)
As the Bible points out over and over again a person's destiny in the future is not disconnected from that person's history and behavior in the present. If there were no connection between what happens in eternity and what happens in this world there would be no need for the exhortations to obey God's commands that the Bible is full of.
The character of the
people that God called out of darkness, the character of the people
he transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians
1:13), the
character of the people Christ died to purify (Titus
2:14) is to
be holy (1 Peter 1:16). "The man who says, "I know him [God], but does not do what he commands is a liar,
and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4) The
Bible says of God, "He
will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus."
(2
Thessalonians 1:8)
Could the existence of the closest possible connection between
behavior in the present and what kind of a destiny individuals
have to look forward to be stated any more plainly than the way
the author of Hebrews puts it (even to believers)? "If we deliberately keep
on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation
of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of
God." (Hebrews 10:26-27; see
also Matthew 18:23...34-35; Luke 12:16-21)
The godly (faithful) behavior of the saints that the Bible commends
and that of our Lord (quoted above) occurred in this world. The
eternal issues that the Gospel focuses on in no way minimize the
significance of what takes place in this world. On the contrary,
it is Gospel and the words of Jesus that make the point that the
eternal consequences are a result of choices made in this world.
How great is the connection between our behavior or where our
heart is while on earth and where we will spend eternity! (Hebrews
11:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; John 3:16, 36; 6:29)
The focus of the Gospel is on most important issues: eternal life vs. eternal 'death.'
When Christian messages are presented to me is the focus, the
emphasis, on Christ's death having overcome the greatest peril
(death) and having earned eternal and irreversible blessings?
The overcoming of death is the foundational benefit of the work
Christ that 'paves' the way to all God's eternal blessings. If
death were not overcome no blessing could be eternal. To
say the same thing in different words we would say, 'Without the
overcoming of death any benefits resulting from the Christ's sacrificial
death could only last for a limited time.' The overcoming of death
has to be basic to the Christian message. Focusing attention on
any benefits that the event of death brings to an end are distractions
from that truth which makes the Gospel so glorious.
If the message that
is being presented as the 'gospel' focuses all a person's attention
upon the temporary 'by-products' that will cease when physical
death occurs is it the hope of the Gospel or some other hope that
is being set before them? What individual's heart is inflamed
by the central promise of God if that individual's hope is not
aimed at--centered upon--the central promise of God? And who can
be resting on Christ and his eternal accomplishment if the majestic
Christ of majestic accomplishments has not been presented to him
or her? (Romans
10:14) If
the stakes of belief or unbelief were not eternal consequences
perhaps some comparison could be made between the constant focusing
on the temporary mercies of God in this world and the eating of
junk food. Living on junk food doesn't lead to health, either
physical or spiritual. Focusing on the time-limited mercies of
God in this world do not point to the Christian's hope. It is
the sight of the central promise of God that keeps a believer
steady in the fight of faith, persevering to the end. (1
Timothy 6:12; Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:14; Romans 2:7; 2 Timothy
4:7-8)
Who are the heirs to God's eternal inheritance? Who are the beneficiaries
of the inheritance that Christ's death earned? Answer: everyone
who believes. Or, to use the language of John 3:16, "whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life." In another place in scripture
we hear our Lord saying, "I
tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him
who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he
has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24) And
what identifies believers? What witness or message is unique to
them?--Answer: Where they are looking. What their eyes are set
upon. Where there treasure is. This is what is unique to believers.
And where are they looking? They are looking forward to the inheritance,
the everlasting reward that Christ earned for them. Their eyes
are not set upon any of the temporary benefits in this world,
benefits which are the 'by-products' of Christ's accomplishment
on the cross. It is not the the mercies of God that are evident
in this world that constitute the 'pearl of great price' for which
the Christian will give up everything in this world. (Matthew
13:44-46; Philippians 3:8-9; Hebrews 11:26)To repeat the words of God proclaimed through
the mouth of his messenger, the apostle Paul: "If only for this life we have hope in
Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1Corinthians 15:19) This is how the apostle spoke of the faith
when he believed his life on earth was almost over: "I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there
is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only
to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8; see
also Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Titus
2:11-13; Hebrews 9:28; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:8,9) This is what Christians set
their heart and minds upon.
What issues do the messages that I hear from the church place before me to consider? Is it the 'things above'? Do they teach me or remind me that that the consequences of believing in Christ or not believing in Christ are eternal? Do they teach me or remind me that what is going on now in this world (which since the Fall has been under the curse) is not an accident or an unforseen event but serves God's purpose. Trials in this life are not accidents that interrupt the even flow of God's plan. For believers trials or testings are part of God's refining process--to bring forth his new creatures pure as gold. That is what the Bible tells believers. "Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7; see also Deuteronomy 8:2-3,5; James 1:2,12) The author of the book of Hebrews puts it this way: "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:10; see also 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3) The Bible says believers will enter the kingdom of God only after tribulation. "'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." (Acts 14:22)
Do the messages I am hearing remind me of God's attitude and my position in God's plan? Do they make me know that 'it was all worth it' because I am reminded of the fact that what I am experiencing or observing now is a purposefully designed 'prelude' to that segment of God's drama called eternity? "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13; see also Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13) "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17)
Do the messages I hear in church, on Christian radio and from other Christian ministries bring to mind the truth that the best and 'longest' part of God's drama when every believer will enjoy all the blessings of the inheritance that Christ's sacrificial death on the cross earned lies beyond physical death? (1 Corinthians 2:9; 9:25; 1 Peter 1:3-4;Romans 8:18; Revelation 21.4,27; 22:3-5)
Do the messages from
the pulpit or from other believers encourage me to persevere,
to stand firm in faith, to remember or focus on the fact that
God is faithful? Do I speak or think the same way as the saints
of old? "Though
the fig-tree does not bud and there are grapes on the vines, though
the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there
are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will
rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." (Habakkuk 3:17-18; see
also Psalm 46:1-3; 73:26; Hebrews 10:23; 13:6)
Because of being told of God's power, because of being told of
God's protection, because of being told of God's care for his
people (none of which facts are nullified by physical death) do
I have the "peace
that passes all understanding"? (Philippians 4:7) Because
of having my mind set on these truths am I motivated to persevere
in the 'fight of faith' as I look forward to Christ coming back
for his people? (1
Corinthians 1:7-8; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:4-5; 2 Timothy
4:7-8; Titus 2:11-13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 3:3)
If the message which is being communicated by the teaching and
work of churches and Christian ministries is not having the effect
of focusing the heart and mind of everyone exposed to that message
on the everlasting results of sin ('death') and the everlasting
benefit of the work of Christ perhaps it is not the gospel that
is being put before those people either in the 'church' or in
the world! (Galatians
1:6-7)
If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guest book on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it.) Click the following: camppp21355@comcast.net
Part III of this meditation (due in April of 2000 (if Christ has not come back before that)) will illustrate how the different emphases or focuses that are being proclaimed in many churches and Christian ministries may amount to 'another gospel'.
If you wish to pursue your own study on issues (thoughts) raised or on the Scripture verses used try these links: The Goshen Bible Study Tools or Translate 2012 Bible Study Tools. An additional translation with many notes can be found at Net Bible.To search for related sermons (recent), sermon outlines, articles, devotions and topical sermons go here: Sermon Links.com
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