Tuesday 22 October 2019

Which world

Which world
Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 said,
“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’” Matthew 4:4.
To my way of thinking Jesus and the writer of Deuteronomy is making it clear. Individuals are spiritual beings. We cannot live on the things of this world alone. They will never truly fill that longing in mans heart.
I know a lot of people that buy a new car every few years. Their old one still works well but they like to get a new version every few years. Likewise people especially here in the west like to up grade their electronic devices every few years even if the old one works well. It’s the same with fashion many people are constantly throwing away perfectly good clothing in order to get the latest fashion.
Our materialistic society calls out from every corner telling us in order to feel good and look good we need the latest thing. If we just get the latest thing not only will we impress those around us but it will make us feel good.
Now there is nothing wrong with owning the latest things. The problem comes when we think that will give us lasting happiness and the things of this world is all there is.
Things are just that, inanimate objects, that offer little comfort when things go wrong. You can have all the money you’ve ever wanted. All the material possessions you’ve ever dreamed of, but when hard times come they are of little comfort.
This world, this life we live is fleeting. We live but a handful of years. Then all that we have gained in this world says here while we move on to the next.
One day we will all stand before God. If you don’t believe me you can wait and see. The trouble is at that point it will be too late. We must believe in God in this world in order to enter heaven. The writer of Hebrews telling us.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
The writer telling us,
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1.
The apostle Paul said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
As a Christian I believe that it is through belief in the saving grace that come through Jesus Christ God’s One and Only Son. That we get to heaven. Jesus speaking of himself said,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.
The choice however is yours. C. S. Lewis wrote,
“If you live for the next world you get this one in the deal; but if you live for this one, you lose them both." C. S. Lewis.
So my question becomes, which world are you living for?
Please think about it.

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