Why will people go to others funeral to honor them but ignore or take them for granted while they are alive?
NOT telling them they are loved.
NOT congratulating them on their accomplishments.
NOT thanking them for their thoughtfulness, their help in time of need.
Why is this?
Why does it take death for us to value others?
There is a scene from the movie Hope Floats that speaks to this. Gina Rowlands’s character (mother) is speaking to Sandra Bullock’s character (daughter).
“Do you think life goes on forever? That behind every chance is another one and another one. It’s the worst kind of extravagance. The way you spend your chances Birdee?”
Like young children, we convince ourselves that life will go on forever. Somehow death will be delayed until we are ready.
But few are ever ready. Even us Christians who know we will see our Christian loved ones on the other side of eternity.
Maybe at the core of denying death’s existence until it hits us in the face is a an innate knowing.
Death shuts the door for all relationships, including for some, their relationship with God.
Yes, the day will come when death finally will be abolished.
In Jerusalem the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
There He will remove the cloud of gloom. The shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever!
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against His land and people. Isaiah 25:6-8
But there is an order to this resurrection. Christ was raised as the first of the harvest. Then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
After that the end will come. When He will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father. Having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.
For Christ must reign until He humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under His authority.”
Of course when it says “all things are under His authority.” That does not include God Himself. Who gave Christ His authority.
Then when all things are under His authority. The Son will put Himself under God’s authority. So that God, who gave His Son authority over all things. Will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment. In the blink of an eye when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the trumpet sounds. Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die. Our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die. This Scripture will be fulfilled.
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:23-28 and 51-57
The day is quickly approaching. When every human being who has ever lived will witness what the Disciple John did in his vision of the end of this age.
And I saw a great white throne, and Him who was seated upon it. From whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. For this heaven and earth are passing away.
And I saw the dead. The great and the small standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened which is the Book of Life.
The dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books. That is everything done while on earth.
And the sea gave up the dead who were in it. And death and Hades— the realm of the dead surrendered the dead who were in them. And they were judged and sentenced, every one according to their deeds.
Then death and Hades— the realm of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death— the lake of fire— the eternal separation from God. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15
Jesus reminds us that the day quickly approaches when Papa’s justice will reign forever.
“I, Jesus am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me. To give to each one according to the merit of his deeds— earthly works, faithfulness.
I am the Alpha and the Omega. The First and the Last. The Beginning and the End. The Eternal One.
Blessed are those who wash their robes in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him. The righteous who do His commandments. So that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.
Outside are the dogs. The godless. The impure. Those of low moral character. And the sorcerers with their intoxicating drugs and magic arts. And the immoral persons, the perverted, the molesters, and the adulterers. And the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying, deception, cheating.
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root. The Source. The Life. The Offspring of David. The radiant and bright Morning Star.
The Holy Spirit and the Bride— the Church— believers say, ‘Come.’
And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’
And let the one who is thirsty come.
Let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.” Revelation 22:12-17
Do not be extravagant. Wasteful with the God designed opportunities to honor individuals while they live.
More importantly, do not be extravagant. Wasteful with the God designed opportunities to honor God.
Live a repentant, righteous life today!
Be Papa’s justice today!
There is no guarantee there will be a tomorrow.
GO DEEPER
Becoming the Lord’s image bearer requires training on the fields of adversity.
Here your devil fighting skills are practiced and perfected.
Ungodly paradigms are exposed and removed— the renewing of your mind.
You learn to process everything through the filter of God-ordained moral absolutes.
List an event in your life that the Lord utilized to remove an unrighteous paradigm.
What unholy, unrighteous paradigm did He remove?
What Kingdom paradigm replaced the unrighteous paradigm?
(Excerpt from I AM The Just Judge)
letsloveothers 