“Whereas you know not what will happen tomorrow. For, what is life? It is even a vapour that happens for a little time and then vanishes away.” – James 4:14
It is normal for people to think of their retirement – what happens when they stop work; how they would earn income; how they would sustain themselves, pay their bills, etc. But people hardly think of the most important thing which is their salvation. My question to you this week is: Have you ever thought of planning for the most important thing in your life; which is your salvation?
It is good to plan for the future, but what about the real retirement? The real retirement is when you are no more. When you are not here you are somewhere. It is not going to be that when you shut your eyes in death you stop to exist. When you die here on earth, you wake up in either heaven or hell. It is important, therefore, for you to understand that this life is nothing. Apostle James asked a question by the spirit of God and he also answered the question by the spirit of God. He says what is life? Then, he answers: it is but a vapour. A vapour appears for a little time. The number of years you have to live on earth, as far as God is concerned, a little time. To you, it may look like a long time – ninety-five years, hundred and twenty years, etc. It is still a little time. God gave you all those years for you to make up your mind for Him or against Him.
Every minute we are living on earth, we are living for Him. Everyday we live is a plus, an extra time, a grace given to us. We do not qualify, but thank God, we are going to see tomorrow.
What then is life? Why do you plan for everything else apart from eternity. Eternity is the most important thing. Every other thing is just for a while. Many people reading this column are well advanced in years and you do not have more than ninety years to live in this world. Every year you celebrate your birthday you are going closer to your grave. No matter how you do face surgeries and maintain yourself, take vitamins and do exercises to look young, it still will not change how advanced in years you are.
What is life? You struggle so hard, wake up early in the morning, rush off to work; work so hard, rush back home to take care of your family. You travel all over the world, see places, do business. These are great things. But, what is life? What happens if you go out and never come back physically? Nobody knows when death will come; it will come some day. It is just a matter of when. Our prayer is not to die young. The question God is asking is: Have you planned for eternity, life after here? Some people go ahead to secure the place where their body will be interred. That is nonsense because once the spirit leaves the body, you are nothing but dust. The body without the spirit is dead.
The important thing is not where your body is resting; the important thing is where your spirit is going. For you to fully understand this, you have to understand what the Bible is saying that life is short. Life is like a vapour that appears for a little time.
It amazes me when I hear people say that there is no God, when they believe in the theory of evolution. When I look at the trees, the stars, the moon, the sand, the water, the wind blowing, etc, I know that they did not happen from explosion from somewhere. No. They are evidence that there is a supreme being. The Bible calls Him God. The book of Genesis tells us how these things came to be, and God put us here to spend a little time in His presence while on earth. But we have turned our backs to Him. We think we have time to mend our ways tomorrow. There is no assurance of tomorrow. Everybody has some years allotted to him.
The reason I write this column is to draw you to God. My friend, do not let your years expire without Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You have to come to Jesus. It does not matter what lifestyle you live, you still have to give your life to Jesus. You can repent now; our God is merciful; and He will forgive you and give you the grace not to do it again.
If you are an armed robber, give your life to Christ. God can give you the grace not to rob people again. Some people rob not because they like it; in fact, after robbing, they feel bad about what they have just done. Such people are possessed by a demon. If you are like that, Jesus can deliver you from that spirit. There is nothing Jesus cannot do – even if you are a witch, wizard, sorcerer, an occultist, etc. You are involved in ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), you travel out of your body. Friend, you do not need all that. What you need is Christ. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Do not leave your body to go and yoke up with some demonic entities somewhere and be a victim of satanic manipulation. You need Jesus in your life. You need to make up your mind and say the following prayer meaningfully, and He will come into your life and renew you.
Lord Jesus, I have been a sinner. Forgive me, come into my life, be my Lord, be my Saviour and be my Master. From today, I give my life to you. I believe You died for me. I confess You rose from the dead for me, and I believe You are coming back for me. Thank You Jesus.
Satan, I break every covenant I had with you, knowingly or unknowingly. From today, the blood of Jesus is speaking for me. I am born again; I am a new creature in Jesus’ name. Amen.
NB: First published January 2014