Weekly Devotional 11-06-23 You (We) Are on the Way
Many today live lives seemingly with little regard of the afterlife, some even not believing that there is an afterlife. The Bible however expressly states that man’s spirit lives on after the death of his body. Hebrews 9:27 confirms this, consider “it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment.” If cessation of life occurred at the death of the body, there would be no judgement. History has certainly confirmed the first part of this, cemeteries are full of dead bodies and said cemeteries are being expanded to receive the bodies of those who are now dying. We all have such an appointment; we are all on the way to the death of our bodies.
Seemingly, according to the way some live they do not believe in the continuum of life and therefore, they say, no judgment awaits them. Others are convinced that if they must face judgment, it will be of short duration and a lack of severity. Isn’t this why there is so much abuse of humanity by humanity? If there is no judgment against one’s actions why not do what one wants to do?
Consider for instance what such thinking leads to: 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21a envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; (Galatians 5:19-21a). Why not live life practicing these things if there is an eventual cessation of life and no judgment? Because, as the apostle Paul added in 21: b there is a continuum of life and judgement, Consider: those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. People who do not believe in the continuum of life or eternal judgment will forever be banned to an existent out of the presence of God.
Writing of this truth the apostle John was led to write: 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
After John saw Satan being judged and cast into the lake of fire, he was given another vision, a vision of unrepentant persons also being cast into that same lake.
We all are on the way toward meeting God and what awaits us, reward, or judgment. If a person lives today to please God, he/she will receive the blessing of reward (2nd Corinthians 5:10). But he or she who rejects God and lives according to self-determination (the cravings of his/her carnal nature) will face the sentence of eternal separation from Him.
Blessings
Steve
Stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man