What is Your Life? James 4:14

What Is Your Life?

James 4:14

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is wer life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die.

Have you ever just walked through a cemetery and read the tombstones? If the cemetery is very old, we may find tombstones of very famous people. Some tombstones have more writings on them than others, which may give us some insight into who was buried there. However, almost all, if not all, have a beginning date followed by a dash followed by an ending date. With that information, we learn three things about the person: how long ago this person entered the world, how long the person lived here on earth, and how long ago this person died. We may not know who this person was except for the name appearing on the tombstone.

The beginning date was a memorable day even if it was only memorable to the mother. In our society, as in some others, that first day is remembered every year following. To the one whose birthday it is the excitement may be the presents that will come. To some that day marks a moving to an age that allows more freedom and privileges. To others it becomes a day to look back at a life lived with great accomplishments. Unfortunately, others see the date with regret and pain. However, when we look at the birth date on the tombstone, we don’t know what kind of memories this may have brought.

The end date is also memorable. This date is placed on a tombstone to show that others want this date to remain memorable. A memorial is established at the gravesite. Though we do not know the circumstances surrounding the end date, we do know it was the end of this person’s life here on earth. We may never know how or why this person died, but we are assured because of the date, this person is dead.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The Scriptures tells us a truth in the passage that gives us an understanding of the end date. This date is set as an appointment. This appointment is to deal a final judgment on the body of sin. This appointment was set because of sin.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This date is followed by a judgment. The judgment of the body is done at that moment of death. The judgment of the person is solely based upon where this person stands in relationship with Christ. When we see the date on the tombstone, we know the appointment was met but we do not know the outcome of the judgment.

Again, when we look at the tombstone we see a beginning date and ending date, but we also see a dash. That dash stands in the place of this person’s life here on earth. When we see the dash, we have no idea what took place. There may have been good and bad days but we do not know. Somewhere other than at the cemetery, there may be answers to what took place during that dash. Friends, family, and other people whom they met could fill in the dash information.

What would those people say about this person’s dash? Would there be comments praising this person for how loving and kind they were. Would there be comments of distress about this person’s struggles through life? Would people say things of negative and distasteful ways in this person’s life? At funerals eulogies are given. The life is most times praised for good things done. What is said about a person at their funeral however may not truly reflect who the person was.

The universal question of “Who am I” rings more true at the time of death than at any other. When we talk about someone at the time of death, we say things such as what he or she has done in their life - the dash. We try to identify them by things accomplished, words said, and people touched. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is, that is not who they are.

The Bible identifies who we are by the nature of our family. When one is born they become apart of a certain family which does to those around us help identify us. However, this is not what the Bible uses for identification. John 3:6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh… this is the first date on the tombstone. The physical nature of our birth places us in a family that the Scriptures teach brings death because of sin.

Romans 9:4-8 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

This flesh birth, no matter who the earthly parents are, put us in a family that requires a death sentence.  

John 8:31-44 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make we free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto we, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make we free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in we. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with wer father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told we the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of wer father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were wer Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Who we are, at the first date, is the member of the family of the devil, which condemns us to death.  As long as we remain in this family, we will face the judgment of eternal punishment for our sin. If we get to the last date as a member of this family, we will be forever judged with an eternal judgment of hell and the lake of fire.

But the Bible gives and answer to this judgment.

John 3:6-7 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The answer to the judgment is to be Born Again. Before our last date on the tombstone, you and I need a second date somewhere in the dash. On the tombstone, we see the memorable date of birth and the memorable date of death. However, when looking at the tombstone we have the space following the last date. This space is called eternity. Everyone will face eternity after the last date.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

When we reach the end of someone’s life we know we can talk about the first date. We also know we can talk about the dash no matter how short or long that dash may be. We will talk about the last date, as it will be close to our minds and hearts. What will be most important at that time is what will be said about eternity. Will there be talk about a second birth, a second date in that person’s life which will bring comfort knowing that this person’s eternity will be with the Lord who saved them? Jesus taught this truth in a very familiar passage of Scripture.

John 3:1-21 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.12 If I have told we earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell we of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 5:21-29 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto we, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto we, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

The truth of the tombstone is hidden. What has taken place during the dash? Was there a second birth date? What happens after the last date in the space called eternity?

As Christians, we have a confidence.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The truth again is a second birth date inside the dash. Some will come to the last date talking about what they did during the dash but will not have a second birth.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew we: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Don’t be foolish, be born again.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

We know our first date, We don’t know our last date. It is important that we know our second date before the our last date so that we are ready for the eternity that comes after our last date.