What is your Life?

By Joe Keim

March 1, 2017

Through His Spirit, God wrote: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:14).

When I was young, I thought fifty years of age was old – very old; I thought it would take a long time to get there.  But as I write, I must tell you, I am just seven days away from turning fifty. It all happened so quickly! 

Just like a vapor that rises and evaporates from a tea kettle, so our life appears, and then it is gone and vanished away.  This fact is not often recognized until one hits forty-five to fifty years of age. It is then that many go through what’s referred to as a “mid-life crisis.” Signs that one is experiencing a mid-life crisis include mood swings, depression, shift in sleeping patterns, the blaming of others, and thoughts of death and dying.  Much of this is brought on when people begin to realize that their children are raised, they have everything they need in life, and the only thing that really matters is a relationship with God and preparation for eternity.

King Solomon in his day had everything this world could offer. Not only was he the richest man alive, but he was also the most popular and well-known king in all the land. He ruled and reigned as the wisest and most powerful man on earth. And yet, in all his worldly splendor and glory, he cried out, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Soon, he thought, “I too will die, and my body will turn back to dust. Then, someone else will take over my kingdom and riches.”

 

Solomon eventually concludes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 8, 13).

Regardless of where you are in life, I urge you to take a long look at the minute hand on the clock! Notice that time continually moves forward with full force toward eternity—that incomprehensible, breathtaking moment when each one of us will come face to face with God, our Creator and Judge.  Try as hard as we may, we cannot stop the clock, and it refuses to turn back.

Multitudes of living, breathing souls are wandering the earth in search of true meaning and purpose. Many are caught up in their own pride, manmade religion, social media, technology, money, and the passing fads of this world. Many are utterly lost and blinded to the truth. Isaiah 53 states it this way: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.

I think about the fact that we have the truth; it provides all the answers in life and beyond, and it’s right here in my hand — the Living, Breathing, and Eternal Word of Almighty God.  Throughout the ages of time, these words of eternal life have changed the lives and direction of men and women in a moment, and they will continue to do so for ten billion eternities to come!  The writer of Hebrews explains the Word of God as being quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow” (Hebrews 4:12).

But then I suddenly realize the cold, harsh facts! The multitudes don’t want God’s truth.  They’d rather eat vomit on the floor than enjoy food from the King’s table. My heart begins to sink and a real, deep sorrow begins to flood my soul.  “Oh Lord, it’s nearly unbearable—I feel so helpless…so powerless! They must know that God loves them and wants to save their soul from black rotten sin and the stench of burning hell.”

Two thousand years ago, Jesus looked down over the city of Jerusalem and proclaimed: O Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37).

O reader, if God has led you to these words of mine, and you have not yet found your way to God, let me quickly point you to the way by sharing the cry of Jesus. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).  It’s not the Amish way that saves, nor is it the Baptist way; these are only labels that men have given themselves.  Jesus is the way!  He is the only way.

The Bible states, For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The unlimited, matchless grace of God, through Jesus Christ, is drawing near to you and wants to remove your sin-stained, rotten, stony heart with a brand new one. Listen to the words of God – read it out loud: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Will you accept the Lord’s invitation and let Him give you a new heart? Go ahead. You can take a moment and talk with Him; He’s right next to you waiting. Our great God, Creator, and Sustainer of the universe wants to hear you talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend. He wants you to let Him take all your sins and your old heart and cast them as far as the east is from the west.  He’s ready to hand you a new heart and the gift of eternal life – life without end. 

See Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9.  The free gift of eternal life can be received right where you are sitting. You don’t have to beg or yell, but just ask in faith, believing that God meant what He said: For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, SHALL be saved (Romans 10:13).

I hope you said yes to God’s invitation. If you did, Jesus makes a promise to you: He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).                                

— by Joe Keim

 

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