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Friday, July 4,
2008
Arrival
and Departure
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great
gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith
content. (KJV)
Remember what you brought with you when you arrived into
this world? If you are not sure you can try and ask someone that was there
when you were born, or you could spend some time around the maternity ward
to see what is brought into this realm by newborns. According to the word
of God there will be no carry-on luggage, which includes your departure
from this world also. So with this in mind, what is it you were fussing and
fretting about today; was it really something that involved your spiritual
life, or are you still consumed and being eaten alive with the cares of
this life? Sound silly, to simple, well believe it or not that is the part
most people miss and stumble over, the simplicity of the gospel. According
to God’s itinerary, the same things you arrived into this world with are also
what you will depart with in the end. The question is will you be bringing
something spiritual with you on your way out? In other words we came into
this world with nothing, but we have the opportunity to leave with
everything, the catch is that it has nothing to do with this world. I use
the phrase catch, because I still see so many who claim they are one of the
Lord’s who say they are totally committed to Him only to see them still
caught up and snared with the things of this world which are drowning them
in destruction and despair. Have you learned to truly be content, or will
you be content some day when you get everything you think you need or
desire? After all you may not think having food and raiment is such a big
deal, and are more interested in other things. So let me point this fact
out, just try going a day, a few days, or even a week without food and
raiment, and then let’s see if it is not such a big deal. Suddenly
everything you have taken for granted and overlooked is now more
appreciated, with a few thank you’s added in for good measure.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the
root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)
Talk about going off the deep end, how would you feel if
you had just pulled a drowning person out of the water only to see them
jump back in again? God’s plan of salvation is to deliver His people from
this present evil world, which we see in the verses above is described as
being the love of money, only to see them turn around and jump right back
into the cesspool of this fallen world again. Now stop and think how you
would feel if that person you saw jumping back into water and drowning
again was one of your own children? How quickly mankind jumps ship; the
only problem is the ship they jump into has some major holes in its
doctrines and is ready to go under. Will you stay afloat and rise above the
cares and concerns of this world, or will you end up going deep sea diving
for fool’s gold and miss your lifeboat when it comes by?
Matthew 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body
shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be
darkness, how great is that darkness! (KJV)
God’s plan of salvation is a way of escape, an escape
from this present evil world into a realm of the righteousness of God. How
is one ever going to find this path of life, let alone ever stay on it, unless
they make it a priority in their walk? A spiritual path requires a
spiritual light, and without the true light shining in their heart it will
be replaced with a false one.
Matthew 6:19-24
The lamp of the body, that which receives and dispenses
the light, is the eye. If the eye, used here figuratively for one's
spiritual understanding, be single (opposite of "twofold"), not
afflicted with double vision in this matter of treasures —an affliction
which is evil —then the individual can regard riches in their proper
perspective. The impossibility of serving two masters in a slave
relationship is a graphic illustration. Mammon. Though its derivation is
uncertain, it appears to be an Aramaic word for wealth, here personified.
Note that Jesus condemns not wealth but enslavement to wealth. (from
Wycliffe Commentary)
Many are called, but few are truly chosen by our Lord
because many a well intentioned Christian has replaced their love for the
Lord with another love. So like with a cheating spouse in a marriage
relationship, or drinking and driving, eventually there is going to be a
heck of a wreck. Some of these piercings and sorrows you are experiencing have
been a result of your shield of faith, or lack of it, which is allowing the
enemy to have a clear shot at the heart with his fiery darts, starting a
fire in a place that has dried out because of a lack of living waters.
Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What
shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof. (KJV)
The point of this week’s studies is a reminder of the
simplicity of the gospel and how important it is to learn to be content.
Yes we are in this world, and there are needs that have to be dealt with,
both spiritual and physical, the point is getting and keeping your priority
right so the things of this life don’t become too big of a distraction. God
promises His people He will supply all their need, and as a parent you
would never forget your children, so what makes you think God does His? The
Bible is specific in how we are to access God and get the provisions
needed, which first and foremost needs to be spiritual, thus why many miss
the mark, getting it backwards, or the cart before the horse. Your message
for today is to keep in mind that your arrival and departure are similar in
the fact that you came here with nothing and will depart with the same
luggage as well. So with this in mind why are you so concerned with things
you can’t take with you, instead of with something that you can, that being
eternal salvation?
John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified
Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and
also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top
throughout. (24) They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it,
but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be
fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my
vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. (KJV)
This man that is described for us in the above verses is
now seated at the right hand of God, and as we see He didn’t leave much
behind when He left, at least not in the physical realm. Jesus Christ
didn’t entangle Himself with the affairs of this life, which allowed Him to
partake of the new life, the one that lasts for eternity. Now it’s your
turn, what do you truly treasure, and where is it leading you today?
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