THE MOST MISERABLE PEOPLE ON EARTH!
In 1 Cor.15:19, Paul made a profound statement which no Christian must ever forget. He said “If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in the entire world” (GNB). The last part of this sentence is translated in the King James Version as “…we are of all men most miserable.” This simply means that if the only reasons why we are Christians are reasons related to the legitimate concerns of this world such as money, property, education, careers and so on, we will ultimately have very little to brag about in comparison with other categories of people. Note that Paul the apostle made this statement in the context of a discussion regarding the resurrection from the dead and, the subsequent life thereafter. Paul was referring to strange doctrinal positions that surfaced at that time. Such doctrines contended against the idea of resurrection from the dead, and appeared to favor the belief that death was the final end. The apostle Paul pointed out that if that was the case, there was no point being a Christian. Paul’s conclusion was based on a clear understanding that the real selling point of Christianity is the hope of an eternity with God in the hereafter. Without this, there is no really big deal!
Today, however, the matter of eternity has faded to the background in main stream Christian teachings. Subsequently, this issue usually occupies only a remote corner in the mind of an average believer. The world is awash with tapes, CDs, books, and live programs on Biblical principles of how to succeed in this life. The physical well being of the individual appears now to be the focus of most Christian teachings. I have personally observed that there are indeed some Christians today who begin to get uncomfortable whenever the subject of eternity comes up. The subject probably has become too abstract and far fetched for them. Many therefore prefer to worship enthusiastically in assemblies where this subject hardly ever comes up. This is a disaster! I will tell you why.
People like this have very little chance of avoiding hell fire because their minds cannot focus on the requirements of making heaven. Read what Jesus had to say about this:
Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal, for your heart will always be where your riches are (Matt. 6:19-21).
Observe that Jesus said that your heart will always be where your riches are. If your concerns are earthly, then your heart will focus entirely on the requirements of earthly matters. The determination to succeed in life may derail your focus on holy living. You do not really need to be holy to make it in life. (Check out the list of those who won Nobel prices recently as well as the list of current billionaires and tell me how many of them know Jesus). Apostle Paul, in a letter to the Colossian Church, advises:
You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth (Col.3:1-2).
Legitimate needs of life are important. Jesus told us he is aware we need this things, but he admonishes us to seek FIRST the kingdom and the other things will follow. Today brethren seek those other things first, second, third….
If your mind is NOT constantly focused on “things that are in heaven”, you are likely to eventually lose touch with the strict requirement of making it there. Do not be deceived. You must shift the focus of the teaching you yearn for from the earthly to the heavenly, and learn how to live holy. Heaven is for only those who overcome sin in daily living by working toward becoming like Jesus. Your day of salvation is therefore only an enrollment point! Do not focus on material things at the expense of your soul. Christians who do that will eventually lose everything! Do not be among them. They are the people the Bible refers to as the most miserable people on earth!
Today, however, the matter of eternity has faded to the background in main stream Christian teachings. Subsequently, this issue usually occupies only a remote corner in the mind of an average believer. The world is awash with tapes, CDs, books, and live programs on Biblical principles of how to succeed in this life. The physical well being of the individual appears now to be the focus of most Christian teachings. I have personally observed that there are indeed some Christians today who begin to get uncomfortable whenever the subject of eternity comes up. The subject probably has become too abstract and far fetched for them. Many therefore prefer to worship enthusiastically in assemblies where this subject hardly ever comes up. This is a disaster! I will tell you why.
People like this have very little chance of avoiding hell fire because their minds cannot focus on the requirements of making heaven. Read what Jesus had to say about this:
Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal, for your heart will always be where your riches are (Matt. 6:19-21).
Observe that Jesus said that your heart will always be where your riches are. If your concerns are earthly, then your heart will focus entirely on the requirements of earthly matters. The determination to succeed in life may derail your focus on holy living. You do not really need to be holy to make it in life. (Check out the list of those who won Nobel prices recently as well as the list of current billionaires and tell me how many of them know Jesus). Apostle Paul, in a letter to the Colossian Church, advises:
You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth (Col.3:1-2).
Legitimate needs of life are important. Jesus told us he is aware we need this things, but he admonishes us to seek FIRST the kingdom and the other things will follow. Today brethren seek those other things first, second, third….
If your mind is NOT constantly focused on “things that are in heaven”, you are likely to eventually lose touch with the strict requirement of making it there. Do not be deceived. You must shift the focus of the teaching you yearn for from the earthly to the heavenly, and learn how to live holy. Heaven is for only those who overcome sin in daily living by working toward becoming like Jesus. Your day of salvation is therefore only an enrollment point! Do not focus on material things at the expense of your soul. Christians who do that will eventually lose everything! Do not be among them. They are the people the Bible refers to as the most miserable people on earth!
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