Pastor’s Thoughts – 08-24-2025

The Word of God tells us that as God’s creation all people will live eternally. Our state in this current world will end for us either by our physical death or physical change at the coming of Christ for His Church. James tells us, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). This verse emphasizes two truths – the uncertainty of each day, and the brief time we are in this current state. We know by experience that people of all ages die physically, and for those of us who make it into old age we can read the statistics to know the averages and approximations of death even though only God knows our exact exit date. The death of our loved ones is a separation for which we grieve, and so did our Lord Himself grieve at the grave of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). He shows us the appropriateness of our grief even knowing that separation is temporary. The knowledge of the vast difference between our eternal existence as compared to our brief time on earth should be taken seriously. Our time here, called a vapor, is so brief by comparison to eternity that it does not matter whether we die at birth or live to be one hundred years old. In comparison to eternity, our brief time here is like a flower that fades.

One of the odd benefits of our sinful society and world with its saturation in corruption and trouble is our right thinking about eternity. We are no different than in Jeremiah’s day. “Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing wrongdoing. ‘Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD’” (Jeremiah 9:5-6). If we have the work of God in our hearts, we too carry this sense of vexation, and perhaps Israel in Jeremiah’s day may be considered, “wicked lite” as compared to our advanced culture today. The physical deterioration of aging bodies, and bodies prone to disease and pain also press upon our longing to be free of such temporary constraints. The cloud of temporary uncertainties and disappointments is ever present with us in this time on earth. Our joys do come, but are always mixed with other pressing matters that stifle and choke.

I was stirred to think about these things by reading a quote by R. C. Sproul who passed into eternity in 2014. “Our greatest moment will be when we walk through the door and leave this world of tears and sorrow, this valley of death and enter into the presence of the Lamb.” I think one of the hardest issues about departing this life for the promised life to come is not the doubt about our destination because we have our Savior, nor a lack of desire for what God has promised, but the sense of leaving dear ones behind here, and matters that are yet undone or incomplete. Paul expressed this very thing in his Philippian letter, “But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake” (Phil. 1:23-24). Our value is not equal to Paul’s, but we do have our work to do while here and that is why Paul would tell us to, “Make the most of our time” (Eph. 5:16). Scripture tells us the reward of heaven is associated with those who have lived out their faith and finished their journey. I think that Paul captures this with his closing remarks, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). We must be confident that He who controls all destiny and is working all things together for good to them that love Him, will bring all those in Christ to an end in this life according to His perfect timing.

Regardless of our present circumstances, what God has promised and has in store for all who love Him is so wonderful and amazing that it should cause us to be rejoicing in the Lord in the midst of our trials or tasks knowing where we are going at the end of our journey. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:3-4). The reality that God will be with us is the restoration of fellowship that was lost in the garden and then completed to its fullest measure gloriously for all eternity.  We know the essence of this is stated in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is the fullness of joy.” This will be so continually and eternally. The description of our abundance of future happiness is also found in the absence of all fallen issues that dominate this current life. These wonderful and inconceivable promises of God are for all who are found in His book of life, and it will happen in the new eternal heaven and earth without end. This is to be contrasted with our temporary situation and serves as continual encouragement and stimulus for thankfulness and effort in the good fight of faith.