Does God place the same type of value on life as we do, do we see our time here on earth with the same thoughts and intents as our Lord does. We know that we were made in His image, (Gen. 1:27) we know that we have more value than sparrows, (Matt. 10:31) and we understand that His love is all encompassing, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) But does He place the same form of value on life that we do.
“As I live, saith the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” (Eze. 33:11) and I do not suppose that anyone else does either, at least among the born-again believers, I have never met anyone who has expressed happiness that someone is in hell. For us, the truth stands clear, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15) Most of humanities outlook on life is expressed in two ways, it is to be lived to the fullest, and it is to do all that is humanly possible to stay away from death. I am sorry to say that this ideology is present within the minds of both the lost and many of the saved, death is to be avoided at all cost. A strange statement from those who sit in the pews each weekend and sing the songs of grace and mercy, it is almost as if they are living double lives, and perhaps for some that is true.
Think on this, if you are a professing Christian, and you were given the opportunity to die tomorrow, would you accept it. Let me make it easy for you, no pain, no suffering, just lay down and die, would you do it. It is easy to say we love Him, easy to mouth the words that we are dying to self, (Gal. 2:20) and would gladly give our lives for Him, until it comes time to act. What you need to do is ask yourself the question of why you just answered “No, of course I would not accept the opportunity.” Are you afraid to meet Him tomorrow, are you ashamed of your performance as a Christian, knowing that all you have accomplished for Him is nothing more than a giant pile of wood, hay, and stubble, (1 Cor. 3:12-13) a bonfire of immense proportions that will end with nothing but ash, not one precious stone to be found.
I am going to guess that if you were positive that tomorrow you would be standing before Christ to give your account, (2 Cor. 5:10) that today would be quite a different day for you than all the previous ones you have lived. There are exceptions of course, some would say “Why not today, why wait until tomorrow,” “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” (Phil. 1:21) but not many I fear. And that is the reason, we fear Him who made us, but not in a form of reverential fear, not in love and reverence to His Holy Name and Sovereignty, but a fear that many know as truth within themselves, they have not been profitable servants of Christ. My friends, if you are ashamed of Him now, if you are not willing to act in His name, to speak to all who listen to you about our Savior, to glorify Him in every area of your life without fear of the consequences today, then what makes you think any of that will be any different on the day you will stand before Him, it is not our sin nature that causes us to be ashamed of Him, it is us, our fears and trepidations.
Our sinful nature, the one that will reside in us until the moment we are glorified has nothing to do with our desire to be profitable, fruitful, willing and obedient servants of Christ, that is all upon us, it is a decision that we have come to of our own free will. Our lives are our own, we are free to do with them as we please, even Paul knew this, the same man that said that it is not we that live, but Christ in us, (Gal. 2:20) said “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” (Romans 7:15) The value that we place on our lives is not the same value that God places upon it, that significance is based on how much of His Son He sees in us. Those in whom He sees none, will spend eternity in the lake of fire, but what of the others, do all serve as Moses, “The man of God,” His servant did, (Numb. 12:7) or all Paul, or even Gideon? No, those will receive rewards above others, as they should, but what of you, how did you answer the question, is tomorrow too early to leave for home, do you need or want more time, and if so, for what reason.
God is no respecter of persons, (Romans 2:11) “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he,” (Prov. 23:7) and God does not think as we do. (Isaiah 55:8) Our Lord knows the name of every single person who has ever existed, He knows every single thing about them, and their lives were valuable to Him only in His own purpose, the One who can create life, the only One who can create a soul does not look at life as we do, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” (Deut. 32:39) The majority of the value that man has placed on his own life is based on fear, fear of the unknown, of what comes after they depart from this mortal shell. They lack the confidence in the truths of the Scriptures, they seek to find value in their lives with accomplishments, and they will use these works as a basis for their acceptance by God.
Few are willing to go tomorrow, for they are not sure of their end, and many of these are seated right beside you every Sunday morning. Ask them the question, not in a joking way, not just as a passing statement, but in all seriousness, if you could die tomorrow, if you were given that opportunity, would you accept it. But you might want to practice it on yourself first.
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)
