Week 11: March 17^th, 2019

Topic: I set before you life and death – Part 1

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 21:1-8

Introduction

Life is the existence of an individual human being or the period during which living things or inanimate things continue to exist and function. While death can be described as the time that humans and inanimate things cease to exist and function.

During this lent period, it is important to discuss the two ways that are available to mankind so that people will be able to make a wise decision. The two ways are: the way of life and the way of death. It is either you choose the way of life which leads to eternal life or the way of death that leads to perdition. It must be noted that there is nothing like sitting on the fence or remaining neutral without choosing a way.

Heaven is real and hell is real; God created both because of human, but His desire is for us to inherit eternal life and reign forever in His kingdom. The Bible attested to this fact by saying “Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; so how much more the hearts of the sons of men” Proverbs 15:11. If God can see whatever that is happening, and know everything in hell and the world of the dead, how then can you hide your thoughts and choice from God? All you need to do is choose life because hell is the destiny of the wicked and all those who reject God Psalm 9:17. You must make the right choice, and you must neither forget nor ignore God during your lifetime if you do not want to end your journey in hell.

The origin of the two ways: The scripture says “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” Genesis 2:7. God gave us the spirit of life so that we can live and be useful to Him. Then the Lord God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it Genesis 2:15. We can ascertain from the passage that the primary reason that God created human was to do His work or work for Him. During the period when Adam resided in the Garden of Eden, the tree of life which gives life was also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evil which empowers to recognize the difference between blessing and calamity Genesis 2:9. Though God loved mankind so much that He gave us dominion over all the earth and His other creations Genesis 1:26. Adam and Eve misused their power/control because they failed to follow the instructions of God. Their disobedience prompted God to curse them, they were separated from God and expelled from the Garden of Eden. Since then, mankind died spiritually because we can neither see God physically nor interact with Him physically like a friend Genesis 3:17-24. God acknowledged in the passage that Adam and Eve can distinguish between good and evil; He admitted that they know the difference between right and wrong. You as a descendant of Adam and Eve have the knowledge of what is good and what is bad. Therefore, utilize your knowledge to make the right choice so that you will eventually eat the fruit of the tree of life which your ancestors did not have the opportunity to taste.

Invitation to abundant life: God does not have pleasure in the death of the wicked, but He wants the sinners to turn away from their malevolent acts, return to Him and live. The Bible says “‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’” Ezekiel 18:23. Repent and return to God today, since every human will die because we are like water that is spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again. And God does not take away life, but devises means so that anyone who is banished is neither an outcast nor driven from Him. Our lives are like water poured out on the ground which disappear but God always figure out ways of bringing us back whenever we run away from Him 2 Samuel 14:14. Since God wants us to share from His abundance of life, He always design or invent ways to bring us back when we have been separated from Him because of sins. For this reason, is anyone thirsty for salvation? Come to the fountain of life and drink—even if you have no money! Come drink it is free. As it is written “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” Isaiah 55:1. The Lord is calling you to come and drink the water of life free without any payment.

The covenant of life and peace which God made with Levi is for every soul that is doing what is right and acceptable in His presence. God gave us this covenant as an object or reverence so that we will continue to fear Him, worship and stand in awe of His name. If we do not relent, then God will bless us in full as He has promised, if we continue to honor Him at all time and respect His name everywhere under the sky Malachi 2:5. For this reason, return and reconcile with God so that you will have life, according to the scripture which says “Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.’” But they did not hear nor heed Me; says the Lord” Zechariah 1:3-4. Harken to this call of repentance and return to God; do not be stubborn like your ancestors. Since God does not have pleasure in death of sinners, believers repent and live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, my brethren in the Lord, why should you die? Ezekiel 33:11.

Jesus is the resurrection and life: Jesus said to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believe in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11 25-26. We can deduce from the passage that death is not the end of humans because we will resurrect to receive the rewards of what we have done in the land of the living during our lifetime; also, whoever believes in Christ will have eternal life. At this junction, we must realize that every living creature is in the hand of God and everyone’s life is in His power. As it is written that “In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” Job 12:10. It is for this reason that Jesus was sent to shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. And direct our feet into the way of peace and serenity. He came to shine on those in darkness so that they will neither stumble nor fall and deliver those living in the shadow of death by guiding their steps into the path of peace Luke 1:79. Therefore, we know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised back to life, never to die again. Likewise, anyone who believes in Him will be raised from dead and death will no longer rule over such person Romans 6:9. Choose life today so that when you resurrect, death will no longer have dominion over you.

The Book of Daniel stated that “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt” Daniel 12:2. Will your deeds permit you to be among those who will resurrect to eternal life? Jesus also confirmed this statement by saying “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” John 5:28-29. Choose life before it is too late so that you will not resurrect to eternal punishment and damnation. For this reason, make efforts so that Christ will always be magnified and glorified in your body whether by life or by death. It is your duty to ascertain that Christ is exalted in your body/life whether you live or die, and never cease doing things that will bring honor to Jesus during your lifetime Philippians 1:20.

The corrupt nature’s attitude leads to death: Never allow your mind to be ruled by your desires, else you will die. It is not good to be controlled by human nature because it will result in death. As it is written “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Romans 8:6. Be warned, do not let your sinful nature rule your mind or permit human nature to control you, else it will lead to death. If you want life and peace, allow the Holy Spirit to rule and reign in your mind.

Nowadays, many people are twisted, so, do not join their group or support them. You must never lie to people to encourage them to do wrong. Your conducts must neither hurt nor discourage the good people, at the same time, your acts must neither prevent nor make it difficult for the evil doers to turn from their wicked ways, and give up their nefarious activities in order to save their lives. The Book of Ezekiel stated that “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life” Ezekiel 13:22. Beware so that you will not directly or indirectly dishearten and discourage the righteous while you are strengthening and encouraging the wicked. Remember “No one can serve two masters; For either he will hate the one and love the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13. You cannot choose both life and death at the same time, but we pray that you will make the right choice. Therefore, make resolution today that nothing will separate you from or make you ignore the love of Christ. As it is written “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? Romans 8:35. Do not allow anyone or anything to pressurize or influence you to abandon the love of Christ or choose death instead of life.

The youth beware: Keep your Creator in mind while you are still young! Because in years to come you will be burdened down with troubles. It is inevitable that you remember your Creator while you are young, before the dismal days and years come when you will say, “I don’t enjoy the physical pleasures of life anymore” Ecclesiastes 12:1. Do not let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator but honor Him in your youthful and old age. Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young but do things moderately because God will judge you for everything that you do. The Bible says “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment” Ecclesiastes 11:9. Depart from every form of misconducts. Never join the people who are determined not to serve/worship God in their youthful age but planned to wait until their old age before serving/worshipping God. We need to have a change of attitude since we have spent enough time executing our sinful desires. The scripture says “that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” 1 Peter 4:2-3.