I would like to look at two scriptures today that have been floating in and out of my thoughts for the last few days. As they relate to death may not be apparent because we always want to paint a rosy picture of death and not talk about anything negative. Our pastor said a while back that "even the death of a Christian can be quite ugly." Matt 7:1 says: Do not judge so that you will not be judged. Matt 7:20 says: "So then, you will know them by their fruits. These verses are from the Sermon on the Mount. At first glance, it appears we can't judge what other people do; on the other hand we observe the results of their actions to determine their (new word) Christianness or fitness to be in heaven with us. When applying these verses to ourselves, we don't want to be judged when our actions are questionable but we are more than ready to be fruit inspectors for others.
Bottom line is that only God knows the heart. We can outwardly judge that someone is not a Christian based on their fruit but God will have the final word on this. However, the 'not knowing' should not stop us from sharing the gospel of Christ with everyone.
The deaths of celebrities usually brings out the platitudes and praises for the deceased person's lifestyle, (no matter what it appeared to be publicly) how good a person they were, how much we were entertained by them, how many lives they touched positively, etc. often with no mention of their spiritual life or relationship to Jesus Christ. In the end, this is the only thing that really matters for time and eternity. I will never forget the words of Brooke Shields at the death of Michael Jackson. Her image of him after he died was that he was in heaven sitting on a crescent moon singing a song. Again, I don't know if Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall, or Maya Angelou (three luminaries who have died this year) were Christians or not. I heard nothing in the reporting of their deaths that mentioned their relationship to Jesus Christ but, then, that is not politically-correct news.
The main thing to be taken from these ramblings is this. It matters what you do in this life but the most important thing is whose you are and what are you trusting in to assure that heaven is your home for eternity. I have encountered many people that are basing their future hope on a single event that occurred maybe twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years ago but whose lives have seldom reflected that they do, indeed, belong to God. This event may have been walking an aisle, praying a prayer, filling out a card, yes, being baptized, etc. 2 Cor 5:17 states: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. The true mark of a Christian is not a one-time event but a lifetime of Christlikeness. We will not become 'Christlike' instantaneously but there will be a movement that will occur gradually in 'fits and starts' as Mike Ross would say. Our sanctification will be a gradual upward trend as we perform the good works that Christ has ordained for us that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)
One of the most frightening passages in scripture to me is Matt 7:21-23. It reads: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' To me, these verses confirm that we are not saved by what we do but whose we are. The book of James is clear on this: James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." James is simply saying that a person who is genuinely saved will do good works. It is not an option. The absence of good works is confirmation that the faith is not a saving faith.
The judging and fruit inspection are often connected to the good works and, obviously, my list of good works will be different from yours. However, the Bible is very clear on some of these. We are to live holy (not perfect) lives and activities that will be included in this holy life are: Regular Bible Study, Regular Prayer Time, Regular Corporate Worship, Regular Fellowship with the Saints, Regular Stewardship of Time and Money, Regular Sharing of Christ with Others, Regular Confession of Sin, Regular Ministry to the Needy, Sick, Prisoners, Widows, Orphans, etc. I could go on and I have probably left out your favorite but the point is: Our lifestyle must point others to Christ and we should long for the day that we will see him face to face.
How should we view the sting of death? For the Christian, the sting has been removed by Christ. For the non-Christian, the sting is eternal separation from God. How should we act until the time of our death? It sounds very trite but we have been saved by God to serve him. The great Judge has stated in his word the following: 1 Cor 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Want to avoid the sting of death? Have you been washed? Have you been sanctified? If not, turn from your wicked lifestyle, seek Christ, repent of your sins, ask him to make you one of his own. He will not cast you away. Act before it is too late. Let me know if I can help in any way. Have a blessed day!
