My Dear Friends,
Upon returning home recently from a brief trip, I learned that in my absence a close acquaintance of many years had suddenly died. I was shocked, and find it difficult yet to believe that he is gone. He was young and appeared healthy, with a zest for living and plans for the future. But, he has passed on, leaving wife, children, home -and plans.
Death, to most, is not a pleasant subject, yet in the normal course of time it is something we must all face; it is a reality that cannot be dismissed.
To the young, the immediate moment obscures the distant future, and death is something that is not contemplated. But, there are those about us that are passing into the invisible world, and you and I are following fast. Let us not be idle spectators, knowing that "It is appointed unto men once to die" (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)).
The passing away of my friend has again impressed upon me the uncertainty and brevity of life. It has caused me to pause and weigh my actions, my desires, in the clear light of eternity.
In this short life span decisions are made for eternity. If it is prudent to provide for the moment, how much more to provide for eternity! Many, we know, hedge themselves about in this life with bonds, stocks, securities, and insurance policies, but take no thought for the world to come. As with my friend, all will be left in a moment of time.
"How well off he was when he died," is often the epitaph of an acquaintance or friend. But none ever die rich but those who know Jesus Christ as Savior. How can it be said that a man died rich, when at the very moment of his death he is robbed of his all?
"Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven," is the admonition of the all-wise Savior.
Time is short, eternity endless, yet in this short span called "time" we must prepare for an endless eternity. Oh! with an eternity before us, what an awful tendency within us to mind the trifling things of time, and forget the interests of eternity! Truly, when we contrast time with eternity, is it not astonishing that eternity does not command first place in our thoughts and plans? What are the elusive dreams and mirages of this life in comparison with a divine understanding of eternal realities on the part of the Christian whose life is hid with Christ in God? Think of it! In company with the Savior, beholding His glory! And in a body like unto His glorious body! "We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)).
But alas! despite what is ours now and ever will be, are we not more anxious to prosper on earth, than to prepare for heaven? Does not the fear of temporal losses at times displace the joy we should have in believing? While God and glory may be a passing meditation in our hearts, have the vanities of the world taken up permanent residence? Does not worldly loss take stronger hold on our soul than spiritual joy? Were our thoughts counted one by one, would not self-interest reap almost the entire harvest, leaving a scant gleaning of eternal things?
Should not one challenge himself, "Is this the behavior of an aspirant for glory? Is it not true indeed that one thinks least on what he loves least? Oh, what a mournful confession, that I love my blessed Savior least, since He is least in my thoughts!"
But let us turn away from our poor thoughts and gaze upon the loveliness of Jesus. Let us contemplate Him, and surely He will possess our thoughts and settle our affections on things above. Then there will be that longing to be with Him and that happy company around Himself.
Should anything below move him who has his portion above? Should the pleasures of this world, which are but vanity, allure him, or the troubles of the world terrify him who, in a moment, is to depart to be with Christ?
To sum it up, my Christian friend, let it be our constant and impelling motive to walk in view of the world to come, until the happy day when there we shall enter into the joy of our Lord.
Affectionately in the Lord,