%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%>
Better Things For You
One of the qualities of a loving parent is to provide for their children that
are better for them than what they have experienced. Many believe that the adage
"leave the world in better shape than when you entered it" is a just
and noble cause. Can we say things are better today than when we entered this
world? In some ways we are better off, but in many ways, this world is not better
than a few decades ago. This is nothing unusual about our times, as each generation
and culture has experienced the same problems.
In our country, even our poorest of society live a much more lavish lifestyle
than some of the richest in other nations. Our blessings have become so common
place that we take for granted the fact that many people in the world go hungry
every day. We play on our cellphones without thinking how great it is to have
one, while many wish they had a way to communicate with family and loved ones.
We drive around in cars, while many in the world only walk or ride an animal
or a cart drawn by an animal.
We take all these things for granted, and fail to realize just how blessed we
are to be living in this country. But more than the material things we have
and deal with, we really need to concentrate upon making our spiritual lives
better. This is something that all men are allowed to share in. It does not
matter how rich they are or how poor they are. When their mind is focused upon
spiritual matters, their outlook on life is better.
That is why the Hebrews writer wrote in chapter 6:9: "Beloved, we are convinced
of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though
we are speaking in this way." No matter what this world has to offer, the
things concerning salvation are much better. For this world and everything in
it are temporal and will not endure. Our soul is eternal and will exist even
into the next realm which is past death. Many people live life only worried
about their death and it all being over. The Bible teaches that there is a life
after death, and we should be focused upon our eternal destiny. If we realize
our destiny is Hell, we need to take measures to correct our behavior and change
our course towards heaven. If we see heaven in our future, we need to maintain
our course and not stray away from it.
God has given us everything we need to know how to get to heaven. His word was
brought to us through the work of the Holy Spirit, and He gives us the mind
and will of God in written form that is simple to understand if we apply ourselves
to learning it. We read in 2 Peter 1:3: "seeing that His divine power has
granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."
The Hebrew writer continues in verse 10: "For God is not unjust so as to
forget your work and the love which you have shown towards His name", in
having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." God does not
forget all the good we do. About the only thing that God forgets is our past
sins, as long as we are repenting, confessing, and ceasing those iniquities.
God has given each of us the duty to minister to others in whatever ways are
needed. We may not be able to give someone money who is suffering, but we can
do something. Provide a meal, share some clothing, or provide a place to rest.
The list goes on and on of the many ways we can provide goodness for others.
Look at the great judgment scene in Matthew 25. Do you see how Jesus commended
those who assisted others, and how He condemned those who refused to help others.
These are the better ways that God has shown to us.
Just because we may have assisted someone in the past does not mean we have
done our full duty. There are people in need everywhere around us. Perhaps they
do not need food or shelter, but there is a need for their soul's salvation.
We should care about their souls so as to help them find the salvation God offers.
In verse 11, we read: "And we desire that each one of you show the same
diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,".
Applying all diligence means to make every effort possible in our pursuit of
this hope. We must be faithful until death, and we cannot slack off. Verse 12
starts off: "that you may not be sluggish..." We do not need to be
slacking off in our duty towards serving God or each other. And it is certain
that Jesus needs us to be active in the spread of the Gospel message that can
provide salvation to those who hear and obey.
If we are not sure how to accomplish this, the Hebrew writer continues in verse
12: "...but imitators of those who though faith and patience inherit the
promises." Yes, some people have figured out what God wants from them,
and we all can learn from those good examples. Truly it will be better to go
to heaven than to hell. Keeping a spiritual mindset will help us get there.
By Carey Scott
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /