LIFE QUEST - POINT OF VIEW
How Should We Then Die?
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From This Verse, by Robert J. Morgan
During World War II, Francis and Edith Schaeffer set out as missionaries to Switzerland where they founded a study center for European students searching for truth. They called it “L’Abri,” a French word meaning “Shelter.” Through their hospitality at L’Abri and through their books and seminars, the Schaeffers helped thousands of young people find Christ.
Then, during a 1978 visit to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Francis was diagnosed with an advanced case of lymphoma and told he had only six to eight weeks to live. His cancer went into remission twice, and his life was extended five more years, during which he ministered on both sides of the Atlantic with unusual power.
Nearing death, he said, “By God’s grace, I have been able to do more in these last five years than in all the years before I had cancer.” He continued taking his treatments, praying for healing, and speaking quietly for the Lord; but it became clear he was dying.
As was his custom, he met this final challenge by turning to the Scriptures, and the Lord gave him Psalm 84:5-7: “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (Valley of Weeping), they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”
Those words became a constant comfort to Francis. The Lord gave him strength. His valley of weeping became a spring from which others found the Lord. And finally, early on May 15, 1984, he appeared before God in Zion.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
Psalm 84:5
They go from strength to strength; every one of them appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:7
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Life Quest Commentary
The Bible tells us It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) and;
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) and;
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus... Romans 3:23-24
The Bible warns us that all men have sinned and will one day die. That means that we each must face an appointment with death and then be judged by God.
Are you ready to die and face God’s judgement? Will God find you guilty of breaking His commandments and sentence you to eternal separation from His presence in Hell?
Did you know that God has proclaimed His Gospel, the Good News that He loves you and that you can be saved from your hopeless predicament if you are willing to accept God's only prescribed remedy?
While it is true that the wages of sin is death, it is also true that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
You can receive God’s forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through your personal faith in His Son Jesus Christ. You can do this by turning to God, acknowledging your sins and desiring to turn from them, believing that Jesus died in your place and rose again from the dead, and receiving Jesus as your Savior and the Lord of your life! If you do so, God will then account to you the righteousness of Jesus, His only begotten Son. What an exchange; Jesus' righteousness in place of your sins!!
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
The important question is, Have you understood and believed that Jesus took your place? He died on the cross, taking the penalty for your sins upon Himself, so that you could receive forgiveness of your sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus!
Have you received Jesus as your savior and Lord?
If you have understood that Jesus died in your place, and have already received His gift of eternal life, Praise the Lord!! You can then join with the Apostle Paul in his confession and belief that, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:22
Let us each of us, who are Christians, be encouraged to live our lives for Christ to the fullest! Then, when we die and come into His presence, we will not be ashamed but will rejoice in the fruit that He brought forth from our lives.
May it be our earnest desire to live our lives for Him in such a way that when we see Him he will say unto us,
Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
If you have not yet received Jesus as your savior, why not receive Him right now and begin to live your life for Him today?
We encourage you to refer to the LIFEQUEST "Food for Thought" topics of Salvation and Gospel which will further explain what He has done for you, how much God loves you and show you how to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
God bless you and have a great day!
