By Riley Nelson, Minister, Richmond Hill Church of Christ
We all should remember that life is but for a little while. James wrote, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). This verse is witnessed almost every morning in the fall of the year. Early in the morning the fog is so thick you can hardly see, but by mid morning it has all gone away. What a great reminder of life’s brevity.
Many times we hear people talk about what they are going to do “someday” about religion. One day they are going to look into the Bible or start going to church or get their life on the right track. The sincerity of these people should not be in doubt, for they do mean to look into these things one day. Sadly however, that day never comes for so many because they allow other things to fill their minds and time. Instead of “One Day” why not start today getting on the right track. Pick up a copy of the Bible if you do not have one and start learning about God’s love for you. Some find it hard to believe that God would be concerned about them, but He is. He cares for everything and everybody, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matt. 6:25-30)
You need to learn about the Church that Christ built and for which He died; “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18); “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
Learn how God wants you to prepare for the end of this short life. His desire is that all should be saved. He allowed man to crucify His Son, this was in His plan for our salvation (Acts 2:23). The Bible gives us examples of how people in the first century obeyed the Gospel and were saved (Acts 2:37,38;Acts 8:4-13; 26-39;Acts 9:1-20; 22:6-16; Acts16:13-15, 23-34). It also tells man that he must remain faithful to God, no matter what (I Cor. 15: 1-4; Rev. 2:10).
You might still say, “Well, one day, I will”. Just remember “One day” this life will be over and there will be no more tomorrows. As the Hebrew writer said, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Heb. 9:27). Make your start today.