Recently I have become acutely aware of, or perhaps, reminded again of the unknowns we face each day. Yesterday was one of them. A number of friends are facing life changing, family impacting health crises. It reminds me of our own life changing, family impacting health crisis that began about two years ago and continues today.
The cynical little statements we hear, such as 'there are only two things we can be sure of- death and taxes', pale in the face of reality. As I thought of this in the wee hours of this morning I thought it would be good to share my thoughts.
Our efforts, our responses to life threatening disease or other health crises must be answered in light of eternity and our relationship to God. A prevailing thought among many is that somehow I can do something to earn God's approval. In actual fact there is nothing we can do short of crying out to him to save us.
The scripture clearly states that all of our so-called righteous acts are like filthy rags and we all fade or wither like a leaf (Isaiah 64:6). In other words, we are all going to die, and the good things we try to do to gain favor with God to prepare for it don't amount to a 'hill of beans'.
So, how do I prepare to meet Him? (Incidently we all will meet him.) I will give you a few brief scriptures to help you respond to this question.
1. Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2. John 3:3- Unless a man is born from above he can not see the kingdom of God.
3. Acts3:19- repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out.
4. 1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
5. John 14:6- (Jesus speaking) I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
6. Romans 10:9- If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.
7. John 3:16- for God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
These few scriptures give us a brief understanding of how to make ourselves right with God and in so doing prepare ourselves to meet him when that day comes. In this way we begin a journey with God.
Reach out to me through this website or by phone to the church for a larger conversation on this subject.
Pastor Paul
