The problems of other people, that is to be the concern of the born-again believer, at least that is what many have been trained to believe over the last few decades. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
Busy-bodies is what the world calls them, and to a degree they are correct, too many simply want to know what you are going through so that they can gossip about it, and so the phrase “How are you today,” which has in many places taken the place of “Hello,” is now answered with “I’m fine, how are you?”
Have you ever had someone answer you with a long list of all the problems they are going through, and then thought to yourself, all I did was say hello? No, you didn’t, you asked them how they are doing. What’s that last part of Matthew 24:12 again? “The love of many shall wax cold.” If you do not want to know, then don’t ask, just say “Hello.”
The habit of a loveless life is quite easy to fall into, simply don’t care enough about people to converse with them on any eternal subject, and that is the subject of this letter, profitable conversations. When was the last time you had one, when was the last time that you spoke with another person, lost or saved, for an extended period of time that was recorded in heaven. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
The world and the current situation it finds itself in, yourself, others, the news of the day, that is what most people speak about. In my mind I see the lost, one at a time, at the Great White Throne of Judgment, no need to go through their entire life, one or two sentences perhaps, perhaps not even that, just the thoughts they had in rebellion against the Lord Jesus Christ and that’s it. Nothing profitable whatsoever. An entire life wasted.
How long are you hoping to spend in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ when you first meet Him, when it comes time for you to give your account before you are glorified and then walk into your eternal home? I can’t answer that for you, but I believe it is something that you should spend much time contemplating. How many times, how many deeds, how many sentences, thoughts and prayer will the Lord look at you and say, “This is what you did that was profitable.”
A few moments with the Savior, or much time? Only you know.
Wishful thinking will avail you nothing here, deeds done are what matter at that meeting, Your rewards will be based on that meeting, on what you did here.
If you want to know how they are doing, ask them, if you just want to follow the proprieties, then say “Hello.”
I have always believed that every single person that crosses our path is an opportunity to glorify God, to witness to the lost or to encourage the brethren, our brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence. As ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven, it is our responsibility to care, to be kind, to be representatives of Jesus Christ.
Try to remember that when you meet them.
