They want you to believe that life is precious, that we need to spend as much time around those that we love as is possible, that time is short, even a long life, and that time not spent enjoying life to its fullest is a wasted life.
They got the last part right at least, if your life is hid in Christ.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)
Please, correct me if I am wrong, but I cannot recall one place in all the Scriptures where it is said that life, the continuation of it for as long as possible, is either precious or should be the main goal of people. I know His Word says this in Psalm 116:15. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” but nowhere can I recall where it says that life is precious.
I know why all that is said in the opening sentences of this letter is held fast to by the wicked, by those who profess the Lord only with their lips, but it has always confounded me why anyone who truly has been born again would ever consider their life here as precious, as wanting to stay for as long as possible. Eat healthy, exercise, take vitamins, stay active, yes, understandable, for if our body is functional, we can serve Him in certain ways fuller.
I know many of you have family and friends that you love who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I understand you want to be close to them, not withstanding 2nd Corinthians 6:14. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” That you are accountable for, it is your choice, and it is one of those rare occurrences where it can be said, “That’s between you and God.”
You love them, and you know for a fact that if they do not repent and call upon the Savior for the salvation of their soul, you will never see them again.
For us who serve the Living God, for life to be enjoyable means serving Him with joy, praising His name for His unspeakable gift, relishing in the knowledge that we will be in His presence throughout all eternity. Anything less than that for us my brothers and sisters in Christ is a waste of time.
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17)
My beautiful wife and I do not get to spend near enough time together, we are either serving Him whom we love, or the world calls far too often with its temporal necessities. One of my greatest pleasures in our eternal home will be to watch her face when she experiences the next incredible sight of those things that are prepared for those who love Him.
Now, you tell me, why would I not look forward with great anticipation to those times, what could possibly hold me here for one more minute? At the moment, it is you, and all the others that read these letters.
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Phil. 1:23)
Those who will die in their sins want to hold onto every moment, to experience all they possibly can, accumulate much, holding onto that which they will eventually lose. Death is the end of life for them, for us though, this remains a truth.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
One final door my friends, one that we should never fear. They have nothing else, try to help them to realize these truths, that there is more, that there is a love that will never die waiting for them.
Show them that death could be just the beginning for them.
