~ On Life & Death ~

ON LIFE & DEATH

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

This has always been a highly debated subject. Life and death are important to every human being on the face of the earth. Societies have their approach, governments their priorities, religions their interpretations. Life and death are as critical an issue as we will ever face. There are many who do not believe in God. They have accepted the idea that this world is all there is, with nothingness after death. There are many who believe in reincarnation... that this world is but a training ground where we work out our own way to perfection through multiple lifetimes. The doctrine of ultimate reconciliation is growing in popularity today among Christians. This is an adaptation and mingling of eastern and new age concepts with Christianity. The notion that we get a second chance appeals to our flesh nature. The interesting thing is this, that as individuals we have all been given the power of choice. We can and do choose which doctrines, ideas, or philosophies we wish to embrace. As born again spirit filled believers, we have an advantage over those who oppose all that Jesus said and did. We experientially know that there is a God in heaven, and in our hearts.

Jesus said in John 8:32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

And again in John 15:26 But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.

If we have received the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, we have received the Truth. This does not however, mean to say that we are now automatically walking in the truth... or that we have full understanding of spiritual things. What it means is that the Holy Spirit will teach us... if we will submit to His tutelage. It is by the working of the Spirit of God in our inner man, that our outer man is brought into submission to God... and we learn the hidden mysteries of God.

In a sense and to a degree... many of these 'other' teachings and doctrines do have it right, up to a point. There is a common thread which runs through all of the major religions of the world. They all include humanistic threads of 'kindness and brotherly love.' Those things that the carnal, reasoning mind can grasp are freely used to control, justify, and coerce believers and non-believers alike on a regular basis. Theology and religion are man's attempt to explain and understand the concept of a higher being, a creator, something bigger than ourselves. However, being religious and adhering to the rules and regulations of any religious sect does not equate with keeping the commandments of God and utterly fails to make us righteous... (Justified and in right standing with God).

There are already thousands of books debating the many aspects of life, death, and religion. Let's narrow the discussion here immensely... by keeping our focus on what we can know and how we can know it, as 'it' pertains to the born-again believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

In this one verse, our Lord makes several points...

1. That there is an enemy;

a thief,

one who would steal,

kill and destroy us (our lives) now and for all eternity.

2. That He (Christ) came so that we might fully possess life now and hereafter,

in a superabundant way (beyond measure).

Big difference.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

So much for all of our great schools of theology...

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Already we see that this question of life has everything to do with the Spirit of God. Only the Spirit of God can make us alive. Rules and regulations, forms and rituals may satisfy the natural mans desire for religious expression, but cannot impart spiritual life. Multitudes are born into this world and go through their entire life span, without ever becoming alive... 'spiritually.' They may be devoutly religious, but in God's eyes they are still as dead. Jesus said in John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Everything concerning our walk (relationship) with God hinges on faith, obedience and belief. Right from the start our natural mind balks at doing things the way that God has laid out. It is 'unnatural' to believe in things we cannot see, it is 'contrary to rationality' to have faith in something that is not widely accepted or causes us to suffer persecution.

The natural man is totally committed to self-preservation, self-gratification, self-improvement, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-esteem, self-promotion, even self-exaltation. In this the end of the ages, the concept of self-denial is regarded as an abnormality. As believers, we are not only called to deny self, we are charged to crucify self on the crosses we bear as we follow Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

To hear and receive Jesus' words in the above verse, requires faith and belief. Faith in something that sounds unbelievable, and belief in the Son of God. We know HIM, therefore we believe. The world does not know HIM, therefore they cannot receive Him or believe. James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Through Christ Jesus, the very same imputed righteousness is freely offered to all men... but they have to choose to accept it. Acceptance is believing and being born-again by the power of the Spirit of God. Until we do this, we are dead. We may walk and talk and function in this world, but spiritually speaking we are 'as dead' before God. He has made the rules and set the criteria: and it is non-negotiable.

Jesus explained this mystery in John 3:6-21 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

How foolish are we, when we cannot even fully understand those things that we can see and hear and touch, for us to think that we have the capacity to understand spiritual things that are above our ability to even comprehend, except by faith in that which the Holy Spirit reveals to our understanding?

Why are we condemned when we fail to believe and obey?

Our rejection of Christ reveals that we love the darkness rather than the light, that we love the things of this world, our flesh and the lusts thereof, more than we love God. It's pretty simple really... simple enough that even a little child can comprehend the difference.

Yet adults get so lost in their justifications and rationalizations that they end up floundering in a quagmire of confusion of their own making, fighting amongst each other over their doctrines and interpretations. Wholly losing sight of the fact that we are called to be a peculiar people, separate from the world, they attempt to win the world by employing the world's tactics and strategies. The result is that the world recognizes their own tactics, even if the Christians employing them do not, and they see the hypocrisy of our testimony. Despite all of the money, time and talent invested each year by well-intentioned religious people, the world is still careening toward disaster with the Church now securely tied to its coattails.

What do the Churches of today hold up as evidence of spiritual life?

What are we impressed with?

What do we accept as being Holy?

Do we admire men's persons?

Are we wowed by their titles and endorsements?

What are the criteria we judge by?

The emotional response they can evoke?

The manifestation of supernatural phenomenon?

Do we really believe that a Holy God is going to satisfy our lusts for signs and wonders by demonstrating cheap thrills amongst us when we gather together?

Maybe sprinkle a little gold dust around, or drop a few gemstones out of thin air? How about feathers falling from the ceiling?

This may titillate the flesh, but does nothing toward strengthening our relationship with the Father.

Should we believe in and follow after leaders that flaunt their wealth as evidence of their spirituality... that demonstrate an arrogant, know-it-all attitude?

Should we listen to leaders who justify taking the 'widow's last mite' while they live in million dollar estates, by claiming that they are doing the 'work of the Lord?'

Should we be listening to the preponderance of self-proclaimed prophets that have taken center stage, satisfying the people's 'itching ears,' telling them they will have peace, health and wealth?

When we never read the Bible for ourselves, but are satisfied to complacently sit and let another tell us what it says and what it means, are we not setting ourselves up to be deceived?

When these things are all we know, are all we see, are all we hear... aren't we being led away from knowing God instead of learning how to enter into a personal relationship with God?

What did Jesus say about eternal life?

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

It is not about miracles, or supernatural phenomenon. It is not about how talented we are, or the size of our congregations. It is all about whether or not we believe in Jesus Christ, and keep His commandments. It is all about our relationship with the Father and with the Son. It is all about growing up in Christ, to the full stature of the Son of God. If we get sidetracked away from knowing God, and into following after men and the flashy baubles of religion, we will lose out... perhaps eternally. Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. This was true of man when Jeremiah spoke it, and it is true today.

So how much life are we really in possession of?

Are we serving God? Or man? Do we know what God calls an acceptable sacrifice?

Jesus said in Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Paul reiterated in Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Which is our reasonable service! Service in this verse means 'Worship.'

In Matthew 16:26 Jesus put forth the question... "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

This generation will have to answer this question... What have we done with God's gift to us? How have we handled His anointing? What is our heart after?

Deuteronomy 30:17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; Who are we serving?

The Church has lost their vision, they have no comprehension of how utterly destitute their condition is. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Ouch! James goes on to say...

James 4:5-10 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Flash back to what Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The thief knows that his time is short, and has been working overtime for the past 50 years, bringing all manner of foul things into the midst of the congregations. Men and women still fall for the same lie that worked so well for him in the Garden of Eden, "Ye shall not surely die..." ssssssssss "God didn't really mean what He said..."

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

We all have the choice before us my friends, life or death. May we choose to die to our flesh; to take up our cross and follow Christ; to be conformed to HIS image.

Philippians 3:10-14 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Amen
Cathy Morris

3/26/2008