I am speaking to myself here- I am guilty.
Ever wondered why Christians (me) aren't more vocal about the beliefs they claim to be true? Aren't more serious about what the Bible says? Why aren't we passionate about our beliefs? The greatest commandment after "love the Lord your god with all your heart" is to "love your neighbor as yourself"..... Matthew 22:37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Do we do this with an eternal perspective? The Bible speaks of an eternal punishment in HELL for anyone who does not believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Eternal. Fire. Pain. Everlasting. Never ending. Forever. Torment. Anguish. We are doing a disservice to unbelievers when we don't tell them the truth of the gospel. Why aren't we telling them?? Why are we not screaming it from the rooftops?? If your neighbor's house was on fire, you would scream and kick down the door to help get them out of the fire to safety. Why do we not do that in regards to their eternity? Are we more concerned with "offending" someone here on earth than we are concerned for their soul? Our time on this earth is fleeting, it's a wisp of air, its nothing in comparison to eternity. James 4:14 says, "What is your life? You are a MIST that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Why have someone "like" you for a short time on earth, just to see that person in hell for eternity? If you would rather agree with the world than with God, you may need to think about your own salvation. The worst thing we could do to our neighbor, is to NOT tell them the truth of the gospel! Think back 100 years, 200 years, etc. etc..... does it matter now who was wealthy, well known, or popular or had the most STUFF? NO! No one cares but the people that are in hell right now- wishing they would have lived their short life on earth differently. Just remember, 100 years from now it will not matter one bit that you drove the newest car, lived in a fancy house in an upscale neighborhood, went on the best vacations, wore the best clothes, and had the most "stuff" of all your friends. The only thing that will matter is where you are spending eternity. Think about it.
Below is a poem by Walden Parker. It is worth reading. It is worth printing and taping on your mirror for a constant reminder of the wisp of air that is our life on earth.
It will not
make much difference, friend, A hundred years from now
If you live
in a stately mansion or on a river scow;
If the
clothes you wear are tailor-made or pieced together somehow,
If you eat
big steaks or beans and cake ... A hundred years from now.
It won’t
matter your bank account or the make of car you drive,
For the
grave will claim all riches and fame and the things for which you strive.
There’s a
deadline that we all must meet and no one will be late.
It won’t
matter then all the places you’ve been, Each one will keep that date.
We will only
have in eternity - what we gave away on earth,
When we go
the grave, we can only save the things of eternal worth.
What
matters, friend, the earthly gain for which some men always bow?
For your
destiny will be sealed, you see ... a hundred years from now.
- Walden Parker
