sojouners ant resident in this life /Judgement

Living as sojouners and not residents in this life

There is nothing that can arise in this life so great as to compare to the glory that awaits us at Christ’s glorious coming. There is nothing so horrible that can happen in this life that will not be forgotten in an instant of time when we see Jesus Christ face to face. Nothing that goes on in this life, whether good or bad, is worthy to be compared to the eternal weight of glory that constitutes our hope.

I believe the epistles of Paul, Peter, Jude and John present a picture of our hope which not only gives us comfort during difficult times but great strength during times of stress, great encouragement during times of duress and great joy at all times. I believe that if all we have to live for is this life only, we of all people are most to be pitied.

When Paul could not endure any more hardship, God caught him away and showed him what is coming after Christ returns. Whatever Paul saw, provided him with the strength and focus to endure everything that arose the rest of his ministry. Paul lived and breathed not only to share the Gospel now, but with the burning hope that Christ would return any minute.

It is obvious that those who participated in the First Century church, lived each day with the burning realization the trumpet could indeed sound any minute and they would leave this life to spend an eternity with God. It was this firm conviction which allowed men and women to totally commit themselves to serving Christ in this life with no interest in accumulating earthy treasures or so afraid of death they could not live.

So much of our current society is built on either extending life a few extra years or finding that elusive fountain of youth that eliminates the aging process and keeps us looking and feeling like a teenager when we are 85 years old. Most of the products advertised in various media all promise to make one feel or look younger. With all the emphasis on this life and none on the future, of course there will be little emphasis placed on the spiritual side of things.

Solomon spoke extensively of vanity. When the emphasis of life is only what is best for “me”; that is vanity. When all of life’s endeavors are for self gain; that is vanity. When every dream and detail in life revolves around “me”; that is vanity. When there is nothing any greater to live for than this life; that is vanity.

We all really need to look in the mirror and think about WHY we are so hung up on this body of ours. Why do we spend so much time, energy and money trying to transform this flesh into a shining temple? Paul said these bodies we live in are earthly tabernacles that will be discarded when Christ returns. Of course we should seek to take care of ourselves but not because of vanity.

The day is fast approaching when the Lord Jesus will call us home, either through death or His return. In light of this, what is our purpose in living? What is our reason for what we do? What is the great aim of our heart and motive for what we live for? Is our time, energy and money really ours to hoard and spend only on ourselves? Is not all that we have in this life a gift from God to share with others?

I urge us all to spend a little time thinking about how we live and what we live for. It never hurts to make sure we have not fallen into the bottomless pit of vanity and the self serving pursuit of happiness. We have life because God gave it to us and that life is a gift to be shared with others in light of our short stay as sojourners in this life.
Judgement is coming
Death seals the fate of an individual. The Holy Ghost , writing through Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 vs 6-8 makes clear the fate of faithful believers: finding themselves immediately with Jesus once they are absent from the body; while Jesus in Luke 16 vs 22-23 makes clear the fate of those that live outside in God’s precepts:being welcome to hell as they close their eyes in death.There is no middle place. There is Heaven or hell. Wherever you land at death is where you will live forever. It is either death or Jesus comes to take you home at the rapture. These are the only two exit points from this world into eternity. Where will you spend eternity?

People quake whenever they hear of death because after death , judgment follows: Hebrews 9 vs 27 says : and as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement:

The creator of man has an appointment with man. He does not seek their inputs concerning this appointments, although those who are very close to Him could negotiate and shift the date of the appointment. Whether you like or not,you must keep that appointment someday, either through death or through the rapture. A sinner who dies will go to hell. Revelation 20 vs 11-15 says after they are judged at the Great White judgment, the inhabitants of hell will be thrown into the lake of fire. That is like from frying pan to fire. The lake of fire is a far worse place than hell fire.Just one sin is enough to take you there. On the other hand, those who believe in Jesus Christ,not just church goers,but those who have received Christ into their lives and have the evidence of a change of life will face their judgement too. 1 Corinthians 3 vs 11-15 says every work we have done will be passed through God’s fire. Any work that did not meet up with God’s standard will be burnt. The issued is not just working for God but working to meet God’s standard or expectation. Any work done with wrong motives will be burnt. Any work done not at the time God requested but at the convenience of the doer may be burnt. Some people have nothing left after the fire. You have time to make amends. You will not lose your reward!

The bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that if you confess with your mouth , Jesus is Lord , and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.

Pray this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.