THREE CERTAINTIES

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55

As I waited outside the Intensive Care Unit for changes int he condition of a loved one, I was reminded that death affects all of us; old and young, male and female, rich and poor.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, the apostle Paul comforted those who mourned the death of their loved ones. He told them that excessive grief resulted from being uniformed. Weeping for our loss is good, but we need not weep like those who have no hope. Instead, we must rely on three certainties of death.

The first certainty is that the soul does not die. The souls of departed believers are with the Lord (verse 14). They have retired from this problematic world, and they “sleep in Jesus.”

Second, Jesus will come for every believer. Whether a Christian is alive on earth or asleep in death, Jesus will return for all His children (verses 16-17).

Third, there will a joyous reunion. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (verse 17).

Knowing these certainties brings comfort to believers when their friend and loved ones depart. Although we are separated from them for a while, we will meet again the presence of our Lord. —albert lee

When facing death’s shadow, remember the Light; the shadows bring fear, and the dark shrouds our eyes; but if we will turn to face Jesus the Light, the shadows will fade as He brightens our skies. —lee

Sunset in one land is sunrise in another.

THE CHOICE

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. Deuteronomy 30:15

You’ve heard the infamous name of John Wilkes Booth. He assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. But have you heard about Edwin Booth, John’s eldest brother? Edwin, a well-known actor, was waiting at Jersey City train station when he saw someone slip and fall of the platform. Edwin quickly grabbed the man’s collar and pulled him to safety — rescuing him from serious injury or death. Who was the man he saved? Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert, a soldier in the Civil War.

How ironic that the man who saved Lincoln’s son had a brother who would soon kill the president. One saved a life; one took a life. One chose life; the other chose death.

The Lord gave His people a choice between life and death: They could love Him and obey His commands (Deuteronomy 30:16), or they could worship and serve other gods (verse 17). He told them, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (verse 19).

We too have a choice between life and death. We can receive Jesus as our Savior and live with Him forever, or we can reject Jesus and be in darkness forever without Him. The best choice is clear. Receive God’s gift of His Son Jesus. Choose life! —anne cetas

The choice we make determines our Eternal destination; one leads to everlasting life; the other, condemnation. —sper

The choice you make today will determine your tomorrow.

 

 

THE CENTER OF HISTORY

Matthew 16:13-20

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

On the file folders in its biographical morgue, The Washington Post identifies famous people with a single vocational notice, such as “home run king” or “motion picture star.” According to a former reporter, one of these files is marked, “Jesus Christ (martyr).”

Every individual who considers Jesus Christ makes some judgment about Him. French philosopher and historian Ernest Renan said, “All history is incomprehensible without Christ.” American author Ralph Waldo Emerson concluded, “His name is not so much written but plowed into the history of the world.”

Kenneth Scott Latourette, former chairman of the department of religion at Yale Graduate School, wrote, “That short life of Jesus has been the most influential ever lived. Through Him millions have been transformed and have begun to live the life which He exemplified. Gauged by the consequences which have followed, the birth, life, and death and resurrection of Jesus have been the most important events in the history of man.”

What label do you put on Jesus Christ? If you agree that He is who He claimed to be, then let Him who is the center of history be not only the center of your creed but also the object of your loyalty and love. —hwr

What think ye of Christ? is the test to try both your state and your scheme; you cannot be right in the rest unless you think rightly of Him. —newton

Your decision about Jesus determines your destiny.

PERSECUTION

Matthew 10:16-26

You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. Matthew 10:22

Jesus warned those who believed in Him that trouble would come. And it did!

In AD 303, for example, the Roman emperor Diocletian began a reign of terror that his successor Galerius continued until 311. Christians who loved and worshiped the Lord throughout the Roman Empire suffered almost unspeakable atrocities. Those who dared pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ were tortured, maimed, or killed. Horrible persecutions carried out by the State brought death to thousands of Christians.

Not all opposition begins at the high levels of government, however. Even today, if we let others know that we are followers of Jesus, we may face various forms of mistreatment and rejection. But our Lord’s words to His disciples can help us to stand. First, He told them to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). They were to respond with wisdom without malice. And second, He told His disciples that when they would stand before persecutors, the Holy Spirit would help them to know what to say (Matthew 10:19-20).

We surely don’t want to face people who are hostile to our faith, but when we do we can count on help from the One whose name we represent. —jdb

In our daily life and service let us be disciples true; being meek when others hurt us, Lord, in us may they see You! —hgb

Those who live for God can expect trouble in the world.

I’M NOT MY OWN MASTER

For further reading see What does the Bible say about suicide?

Revelation 1:12-18

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:18

A “manual for killing” —that’s how one critic describes Derek Humphry’s book Final Exit, which gives instructions on how to commit suicide. Early in his discussion of self-murder, Humphry says, “If you consider God the master of your fate, then read no further.”

That statement raises the decisive questions: Who ultimately controls life and death? Do we hold the title deeds to our own person, or does God? Who decided when we were to be born? Do we have the right, because of p ain or old age or unhappiness, to end a life we did not create? Do we, because of our faith in the Lord of life and death, refuse to talk about fate? Do we share David’s trustful confidence, “My times are in Your hand” (Psalm 31:15)? Do I affirm with grieving Job even in the face of tragic loss, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21)?

Meanwhile, our faith does not relieve us of responsibility for our daily tasks and duties. Instead, it strengthens us to know that God is working in us both “to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). We can therefore gladly commit the awesome decisions about life and death into His sovereign hands. —vcg

Thy will I choose; I give to Thee all of the life Thou gavest me; Thy will I choose, no life I ask except to do Thy given task. —anon

Ours is not to choose how long we can live but to live our life as well as we can.

A WINNER EITHER WAY

Philippians 1:15-26

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Lois had just undergone cancer surgery and was alone with her thoughts. She had faced death before, or so she thought, but it had always been the death of people she had loved — not her own.

Suddenly she realized that losing someone she loved was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life. She wondered why. She remembered what she had asked herself before her operation, “Am I ready to die?” Her immediate answer had been, and still was, “Yes, I am. Christ is my Lord and Savior.”

With her readiness for death secure, she now needed to concentrate on living. Would it be in fear or in faith? Then God seemed to say, “I have saved you from eternal death. I want to save you from living in fear.” Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: “I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”

Now Lois testifies, “Yes, I am His! That’s the reality that is more important than doctors telling me I have cancer.” And then she adds, “I win either way!”

Lois’ insight is a convinced echo Paul’s words in today’s text, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Let’s pray that those words may resonate in our hearts. That confidence makes us winners either way. —jey

Safe in the Lord, without a doubt, by virtue of the blood; for nothing can destroy the life that’s hid with Christ in God. —anon

We can really live when we’re ready to die.

A HAPPY LIFE

Revelation 21:1-7

There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Cornelia Dobner was 90 when she died and went to her home in heaven. Her life had been characterized by hard work, self-sacrifice for her family, and loyalty to God and her husband.

Soon after the funeral, two of her great-granddaughters put their feelings into words by writing notes to her. One of them, in the clear block printing of a 6-year -old, wrote, “I hope you have a happy life up in heaven.”

That child’s hope for her great-grandmother is an unquestioned certainty for every follower of Christ who dies. The Bible describes our eternal home as a place where there is no more suffering, sorrow, crying, pain, impurity, disease, nor evil (Revelation 21:4, 27). It also tells us what is there: the Lamb (Jesus), the redeemed, the river of life, the throne of God, the tree of life, the light of God (Revelation 21:22, 22:1-5).

Jesus said that He would go and prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). And the apostle Paul described it as the place where “we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). If that’s not happiness, what is?

Yes, like Cornelia Dobner, every believer in Jesus can look forward to “a happy life up in heaven.” —dce

Beyond earth’s sorrows, the joys of heaven, beyond earth’s shadows, a glorious dawn; beyond earth’s battles, sweet peace unending; beyond earth’s sunset in heaven’s morn. —gilmore

To be with Jesus forever is the sum of all happiness.

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION

1 Samuel 17:31-50

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

If ever anyone needed a champion, the Israelites did. As their army camped in the Valley of Elah, they were held at bay and embarrassed daily by the tauntings of the Philistine strongman Goliath.

David, the young shepherd son of Jesse, had brought provisions for his brothers in the army. When he heard Goliath mocking the Israelites, he was furious and asked for permission to go out and fight him. David was confident that the God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) would give him victory over the giant — and He did.

David’s conquest reminds us of Jesus Christ’s victory. We were hopelessy enslaved by sin and needed a champion. Then God sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. He came to earth as a man, faced all our human trials (Hebrews 2:14-15), and went to battle on our behalf. In His death and resurrection, Jesus won complete victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). What’s more, His triumph guarantees us victory in our daily walk with God.

But we can’t expect success in our own strength. We must rely on the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. Then, as we walk with God in faith, we can more fully appreciate the victory our Champion has brought us. —dce

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell, how the victory He giveth over sin and death and hell. —bliss

No matter what giants we face, we can win by God’s grace.

FACT, NOT FABLE

1 Corinthians 15:1-19

If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 1 Corinthians 15:17

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it we have no hope for this life nor the life to come. That’s why it is important to recognize that our belief in Christ’s resurrection is not based on some religious feeling, nor on unfounded rumor, but on historical fact with solid evidence to support it.

In the early part of this century, a group of lawyers met in England to discuss the biblical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. They wanted to see if enough information was available to make a case that would hold up in a court of law. They concluded that Christ’s resurrection was one of the most well-established facts of history!

In his book Countdown, G.B. Hardy offers thought-provoking questions about the resurrection: “There are but two essential requirements:  (1) Has anyone cheated death and proved it? (2) Is it available to me? Here is the complete record: Confucius’ tomb—occupied. Jesus’ tomb—empty! Argue as you will, there is no point in following a loser.”

Historical evidence and countless changed lives testify that the resurrection of Jesus is a fact, not a fable! Have you put your hope in the risen Christ? —dce

Yes, Christ the Lord is risen, has come forth from the grave; He breaks the chains of death for you and now has power to save. —woodruff

Christ’s resurrection is a factor in salvation because it is a fact of history.

TRIUMPH IN TRAGEDY

Luke 23:26-56

When they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him. Luke 23:33

We call it “Good Friday,” but no one standing there that day would have called that Friday “good.” The best man that history ever knew was nailed to a Roman cross and murdered. For His enemies it was a victory of sorts; for the Soldiers it was simply another day’s work; for His followers it was the death of their brightest hopes and greatest dreams. But no one would have called that Friday “good.”

That is true of many “bad Fridays” if you consider them apart from Resurrection Sunday. They make life seem futile—without purpose and meaning. But God’s most striking victories rise out of the graves of apparent defeats.

In his book Idols for Destruction, Herbert Schlossberg wrote, “We are not the lords of history and do not control its outcome, but we have assurance that there is a Lord of history and He controls its outcome. We need a theological interpretation of disaster, one that recognizes that God acts in such events as captivities, defeats, and crucifixions. The Bible can be interpreted as a string of God’s triumphs disguised as disasters.”

Face each day with trust in Jesus Christ. God’s greatest victories often come disguised as defeats. —hwr

The purposes of God are right, although we may not see just how He works all things for good and transforms tragedy. —sper

God’s most striking victories rise out of the graves of apparent defeats.