The uncertainty of life
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
We would all agree that life is uncertain! We see it every day. Just as surely as we have been born, one day we will die.
Even though death is a subject that we generally do not like to discuss, it is a reality! “And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27).
We see death everyday with plants and animals, and we are no exception.
One of the privileges that Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden of Eden was the tree of life. Had they not sinned and been forced to leave their earthly paradise, they could have lived forever (without death). But when sin entered the world it brought physical and spiritual death with it.
Physical death became unavoidable after man was separated from the tree of life. God said, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19).
Death is an appointment that all of us will keep! We may break an appointment with the doctor, dentist, or lawyer, but we cannot cancel our appointment with death.
Realizing that we are going to die, we should begin immediately to make preparation because life is uncertain. Job realized this when he wrote, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope” (Job 7:6).
In Job 14:1-2 we read, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flees also as a shadow, and continues not.”
In the New Testament we read, “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
Death is something we can and must prepare for. According to Isaiah 59:1-2 it is SIN that separates man from God and SIN that will bar one from heaven. The apostle Paul states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Because we are all guilty of sin we are all separated from God. Because of our sins, Jesus came to this earth and died upon the cross to satisfy the demands of justice (to take our place). Through his death, salvation is available to everyone (Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 22:17), but only those who obey His will can be saved.
“Being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9).
God has done His part to save us from being punished for our sins, and Jesus has done his part; now it is up to us to do our part!
Probably very few, if any, intend to die in a lost condition and be punished in hell. But we will be lost and punished eternally in a devil’s hell (Matthew 25:41) unless we make preparation NOW while there is time and opportunity.
The apostle Paul wrote, “For He says: ‘in an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’” (II Corinthians 6:2).
Remember, young people, death is no respecter of age. Only God knows how many people have already gone on, that intended to obey the gospel – but now it is too late!
We would love the opportunity to study the Bible with you either by mail or in person. You can write us at the Rockford Church of Christ; 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231; Rockford, AL 5136. Visit with us this Sunday at 9:00 for Bible study and 10:00 for worship. We are located just down from Dollar General.
Search the Scriptures!
