According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, thanatos, “death” (as a noun) is used in Scripture of: (a) the separation of the soul (the spiritual part of man) from the body (the material part), the latter ceasing to function and turning to dust,……(b) the separation of man from God; Adam died on the day he disobeyed God, Gen. 2:17, and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition, Rom. 5:12, 14, 17, 21, from which, however, those who believe in Christ are delivered, John 5:24; I John 3:14.  “Death” is the opposite of life; it never denotes nonexistence.  As spiritual life is “conscious existence in communion with God,” so spiritual “death” is “conscious existence in separation from God.”

Physical death is the separation of the soul or spirit from the body.  What does physical death hold for the Christian believer?  The apostle Paul declares; We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:8

Are you a Christian believer?  Are you concerned about death and dying?  Are you troubled at the thought of dying?  Physical death is the second best thing that can happen to a believer.  

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  Psalm 16:11

The apostle Paul expresses his desire and purpose this way:  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Philippians 1:23 – 25

……….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly………

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of Your Best to the Master By Howard B. Grose  Pub. 1902

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…Ecclesiastes 12:1

Some of my favorite passages of Scripture are those where men of God stand and converse with the Lord face to face.  These men were friends of God.

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.  Exodus 33:11

• Abraham was called the friend of God:

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  James 2:23

The New Testament equivalent is a man that allows the written word to dwell in him richly.   The written word testifies of Christ; a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24b

• Moses got his priorities right:

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:   Hebrews 11:24 – 26a

• Job was a man who eschewed evil.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.  Job 1:1

According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, the word eschew means to turn away from.  In a day and age when men are seeking evil and not good, a day when men are turning aside from that which is good and right, it is uncommon to find a man who turns aside from evil both in his public and private life.

• Solomon was a man who desired God’s wisdom.

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee;  II Chronicles 1:11 & 12a

There are many other faithful men in Scripture whose lives God recorded for our example.  You may want to do your own study to find godly characteristics that you would like to see in a future husband.  Honor the Lord by using these traits to find someone whose heart God already rules.  

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

Sometimes I think that we put less (rational) thought into choosing a mate, than we do when choosing a vehicle.  Oh, that one is a pretty color, but does it have a motor?  Oh, that one is a classic, but you can only drive it in parades?  Oh, that one has 500 HP, but can you afford to buy the gas?  Oh, that one is as fast as a rocket, but is it street legal?  Whatever happened to just being practical or making a wise decision?

So what makes our decision about a life’s mate wise and practical?  Are you going to have children?  Don’t pick someone who hates kids.  Are you looking for someone to raise and teach the kids certain values?  Don’t pick someone who doesn’t share those values.  Are you looking for someone that you can trust?  Don’t pick someone who looks really good but is unstable.  Are you looking for a Christian believer?  Don’t pick someone who isn’t a Christian with the idea that you will convert them.

Chances are you are not going to meet someone this week and know within two weeks, three months or even a year that this is the one that meets all the above.  Even someone who professes to be a Christian should not be accepted as such based on their word alone.  

Does their life action match what they say?  Are they under the Spirit’s control?  Do they manipulate?  Is the Word of God important to them?  What kind of friends do they have?  How do they handle money?  Do they love the brethren?  Observing all this takes time and it doesn’t need to take place in a romantic relationship.  

Before I met my wife, I came up with what I considered to be some biblical guidelines to keep me on track and to help me find God’s will for a mate.  

The desire of my heart was to find a wife that was willing to help me find God’s will and who would support me in doing so.  I was also looking for someone who would help me raise our kids according to biblical values.   My heart’s desire was for a wife who was loyal and faithful and in whom my heart could safely trust.  I was looking for a woman of godly character.  

When it was time, I knew it was to be her.  There were no nagging doubts.  I found her or I should say that God led us to each other.  I have often said of her; “I dated some prettier, but none more beautiful”. 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:28 – 31

I remember a particularly difficult and lonely time in my life. During that time I heard a preacher on the radio say; Walking with God can be lonely,…..but it is a sweet loneliness.

(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.  Psalm 139:1 – 18

There is a popular teaching making the rounds in professing Christianity today. In fact, it is nothing new as it has been around for a long long time. It is the teaching that believing in Jesus is just one of many ways to attain salvation.  In other words, salvation is at the top of the hill and how you get up there is up to you as long as you are sincere.  After all, who am I to judge?

The proponents of this teaching simply won’t say, when asked about the cults and other world religions such as Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Islam, Hinduism, etc., that they also must trust in Jesus Christ and His merit alone as their only hope of salvation.  The response is simply……I just don’t know, who is to say?  I don’t want to be judgmental.

Well the manual on Christianity, the Bible, actually has a lot to say about that.  In fact, John 14:6 is the Lord Himself speaking.  Surely if you believe in Him, you would accept His own words on the subject, wouldn’t you?

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:5&6

Can salvation come by anyone else?

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

If you believe in Jesus and also believe that there are other ways to God for those that are sincere in their beliefs, then you believe in another Jesus, and not the Lord Jesus Christ of Scripture.  You are yet in your sins.

If you were taught that there are other ways to God after you believed in Christ, then you have been taught incorrectly.  You need to repent and believe the words of the Christ of Scripture.  Jesus speaking……no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

…..let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:28 – 31

With Mother’s Day coming up, it is a good time to remember how important mothers are.  I have an example of how one of my own children reminded me of that many years ago.

To maximize the effect, you need to know that I hold a Master plumbing license in a couple of states.  At that time, I also held a plumbing contractor’s license in a neighboring state.  Quite often I would bring plans home to work on at the dining room table.  I was sitting there at the table one weekend several years ago, working away, when one of the kids came running down from upstairs.

He had an urgent look on his face as he ran through the house and then down to the basement.  When he came back up from the basement still in a hurry and still looking for someone, I asked him as he ran by, what was the matter?  He replied; Where’s Mom?  The faucet upstairs won’t shut off!

How important are mothers?  Say no more.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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.  John 3:16

Can you lose something that is eternal or everlasting?  If you can lose it, then whatever it is you have is not everlasting.  

Did you come to Christ thinking that you could become lost again?  If you did, then you didn’t really trust Christ at all.  You were trusting something or someone else, yourself or Christ plus something.  Maybe you were trusting your church.  

  If you think that there is something you can do to lose salvation,  then apparently you think there is something you did to gain it.  Repent (change your mind based on Scripture) and place your faith in Christ and His merit alone.

For by grace (God’s enabling) are ye saved through faith (a firm persuasion based on hearing); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift (can’t be purchased) of God: Not of works (anything you do), lest any man should boast (praise himself).  Ephesians 2:8&9

What the Lord gives is everlasting life.  If you are truly trusting Him, you can’t lose the life He gives, because the life He gives is eternal.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.  John 10:27 – 30

If you came to believe that you could lose your salvation after you trusted Christ, then someone taught you incorrectly.  Repent (change your mind) and accept the Scripture’s description of the life believers have in Christ as everlasting.

Note:  Remember to always interpret unclear passages in Scripture in the light of those that are clear.  Eternal or everlasting life is pretty clear, therefore any passage that may seem to indicate you can lose it, must be interpreted otherwise.  God never contradicts Himself.  God cannot lie.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  I John 5:13

…..let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…..

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Written by Clara T. Williams 1875

Music by Ralph E. Hudson 1875