Although there are few things more painful than the death of a loved one, there are also few things more reassuring than when that loved one was obedient to the gospel. That ’s because we believe Jesus’ words in Revelation 2:10 when He said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. ”
Over the last year, Bell Avenue has lost several precious members and loved ones. And while that isn’t unusual for a congregation of our size and demographics, it has given us the opportunity to reflect on the fleetingness or passing glory of life.
Just as the seasons change from spring, to summer, to fall, and to winter, so to do our bodies grow and change, until one day – because of illness or old age – they ’re no longer capable of sustaining life. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
When we reach the winter of our lives the only thing that will matter at that point is the answer to this question: did we anchor ourselves to God’s everlasting word?
If we ’re honest with ourselves, that ’s a question we should already know the answer to, because we don’t know when we will take our last breath; and even if we did, Matthew 24:36 warns us that no one but God Himself knows the day or hour that Jesus will return. Maybe it ’s today.
Are we going to be ready? Life is too short to build our hopes and dreams on sinking sand, and it ’s too short to seek the approval of men. Therefore, let’s commit ourselves to living within the boundaries of God’s grace, so that on that final day we can hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
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