Some Die Once – Many Die Twice [Part 11]
In Part 11 of our series of Blog Posts from our upcoming book titled “One Way or Another Your Eternal Destination is Guaranteed” let’s look at the question: “What’s it All For? And Life is Temporary or is there a Purpose?”
At the end of our last blog post we talked about man’s life span and righteousness.
As time went on, God shortened the approximate average human lifetime to 70 to 80 years:
Psalm 90:10
The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalm 90:11-12
Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 39:4-5
LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
Psalm 89:47a-48
Remember how short my time is; What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?
Temporary Life
Compared to eternity this short temporary life in this body on earth needs a spirit to understand the purpose of this miniscule duration. Our spirit must be in accordance with God’s Spirit to understand why each of us exists. Is our purpose to see how much money we can make, or how much pleasure we can squeeze in before we die, or to become famous in the history that will come to nothing? Or is our purpose to prepare ourselves and others for the eternal life beyond? People who’ve made the decision to accept Christ and become believers have purpose in life. The key to success is to be prepared.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Amos 4:12b
Prepare to meet your God.
Isaiah 40:6b-8
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, its flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God stands forever. (1 Peter 1:24-25)
Still Temporary
It seems the majority of people are caught up in the pleasures of this temporary life on earth. Good wines, travels to exotic destinations, luxurious properties and automobiles, and even self satisfaction with computers, books, magazines, graphic pictures and movies that can end up causing a person to lust. But after a long enough time, these too, can become boring, and cause one to consider that there might be something bigger and better for this temporary time.
Titus 3:3-7
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done [There are no good deeds we can do to save ourselves], but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration [by our faith, belief, and repentance, we are forgiven by His shed blood], and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that having been justified [to be declared righteous in God’s view] by his grace [something we do not deserve] we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Heaven or Hell
We cannot take anything with us when we die. Our spirit and soul go to the next destination—either to be in heaven with God or to be in hell with the devil. When we came into this world at birth, we were naked, and when we die we will go out naked. The soul and spirit will no longer be clothed by the body. It has been said, “I’ve never seen a U-Haul trailer behind a hearse.”
Ecclesiastes 5:15
As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came, and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.
Proverbs 11:4
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Riches are Temporary
The Lord Jesus said:
Mark 8:36
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
Luke 14:11 (18:14b)
“For whoever exalts [uplifts himself to appear to be dignified] himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Solomon wrote:
Ecclesiastes 5:13-14
There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.
Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Assuredly, I say unto you, that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:25-26
When his disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this [being saved for eternal life] is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
James 1:9-10
Let the lowly brother [a poor, humble man] glory in his exaltation [God given dignity]. But the rich in his humiliation, because as the flower of the field he will pass away.
James 4:14
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
1 Samuel 20:3b
“But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”
What’s Life for?
We know of a skydiver who’d, thousands of times, exited aircraft from high altitudes. In the beginning of his career, each jump was thrilling, exciting, exhilarating, and invigorating. But as the years went by, he realized he was getting bored and wondered if he should have been spending his time in a more efficient manner. The scenery and the comradeship were still good, but he began to wonder what it was all for. Was there something more important to this brief life on earth?
Any Purpose?
Likewise, there was an avid snow skier who practiced nearly every winter weekend. But after some time and many ski runs, he began asking himself questions: “Will I get good enough to compete?” “If I win a competition, will I be famous?” Would being famous cause him to live longer? It seemed all the other good skiers and board riders were competing with him. As the years went by, there were more and more people enjoying the sport. Was there a more valuable way to spend so much of his time? He thought, “What is the purpose of my being here?”
Wisdom
It’s not that participating in some enjoyable activities is bad. What matters is whether we let it take over one’s time during this short life on earth. One should choose friends wisely. Companions in the pastime of leisure can leave either a positive or negative impact on the walk with God.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
Romans 14:8-9
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Next Blog Post, on October 31, 2024: “What Prevents Man from Going to Heaven?”
Pray that people will come to the saving knowledge of the Truth before it’s too late, and love their children to teach them the Truth.
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How to Receive Eternal Life Posts
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Receiving Eternal Life as easy as A-B-C-D
Why do I need the God of the Bible?
Resources:
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Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
Christ-centered Books and Messages to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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