James 4:14-17 (GW)
14 You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. 15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” 16 However, you brag because you're arrogant. All such bragging is evil. 17 Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.
I initially was going to write about "life" being a vapor and as I continued reading; the scripture took my thoughts in an entirely different direction. Truth be told; a Christians life is not his own! He belongs to God to bring forth His purpose in the earth realm. A Christian's life was paid for with the Blood of Jesus; therefore, my life, your life was ransomed!
Matthew 20:28 (AMP) 28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Let's make this practical. Let's say that your child is in jail and in order for him/her to be released; bail is set. As the parent; you expect the child to get his/her act together until court. You pay the bail and wait for sentencing. Sentencing comes and the punishment is so harsh; you say - I cannot allow my child to do that amount of time - he/she has their entire life ahead - so let's make a deal - I will take the punishment, even though my child committed the crime! The judge agrees and your child is set free! Imagine years later how the parent would feel if the child is still living foolishly and being disobedient! It would hurt, it would literally crush the parent; but out of love - the parent sacrificed his freedom for his child. WOW! This is what Jesus did on the Cross. He loved us so much; that he became sin, so that we may become the righteousness of God. When The Father looks at us; He doesn't see us, He sees the Blood of Jesus! So imagine how Jesus feels knowing that some of us is taking His sacrifice for granted? some of us are abusing His Grace, some of us take the very breath that we breathe for granted, not realizing that God is the Source of Life and at any moment; He can take it; and just like a vapor - you disappear; never to exist again! So let me ask you a question? What will your 'vapor' leave in the air? will it cause a stench when your name is mentioned? or will it be a sweet aroma and cause people to smile? Will your 'vapor' leave behind a legacy or will your 'vapor' leave nothing?
14 You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. 15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” 16 However, you brag because you're arrogant. All such bragging is evil. 17 Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.
I initially was going to write about "life" being a vapor and as I continued reading; the scripture took my thoughts in an entirely different direction. Truth be told; a Christians life is not his own! He belongs to God to bring forth His purpose in the earth realm. A Christian's life was paid for with the Blood of Jesus; therefore, my life, your life was ransomed!
Matthew 20:28 (AMP) 28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Let's make this practical. Let's say that your child is in jail and in order for him/her to be released; bail is set. As the parent; you expect the child to get his/her act together until court. You pay the bail and wait for sentencing. Sentencing comes and the punishment is so harsh; you say - I cannot allow my child to do that amount of time - he/she has their entire life ahead - so let's make a deal - I will take the punishment, even though my child committed the crime! The judge agrees and your child is set free! Imagine years later how the parent would feel if the child is still living foolishly and being disobedient! It would hurt, it would literally crush the parent; but out of love - the parent sacrificed his freedom for his child. WOW! This is what Jesus did on the Cross. He loved us so much; that he became sin, so that we may become the righteousness of God. When The Father looks at us; He doesn't see us, He sees the Blood of Jesus! So imagine how Jesus feels knowing that some of us is taking His sacrifice for granted? some of us are abusing His Grace, some of us take the very breath that we breathe for granted, not realizing that God is the Source of Life and at any moment; He can take it; and just like a vapor - you disappear; never to exist again! So let me ask you a question? What will your 'vapor' leave in the air? will it cause a stench when your name is mentioned? or will it be a sweet aroma and cause people to smile? Will your 'vapor' leave behind a legacy or will your 'vapor' leave nothing?