RIP

RIP

"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him"

(John 6:64-66).

            This writer is convinced that when the 650,000 conquered Jews, were on their way to their 70 year captivity in Babylon, they sang this verse, "The mighty God, [even] the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof" (Psalm 50:1).

            Every Jewish boy was intimately familiar, had memorized most of the scripture, pertaining to Jewish history. They knew the redemption from bondage of the 3 million enslaved in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, history of the conquest of the promise land. They had seen and experienced the feast, sacrifices of animals, most knew the glory and dedication of Solomon's temple. They could recite the longest Psalm, 119, knew the significance of the words, "This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me" (Psalm 119:50). They knew that every 8 verses of this greatest Psalm held special significance.

            From the dusts of the earth, God had created Adam, breathed into him not only life but a soul....a soul which would never die. Even though, after sin, the body of Adam and his descendants were dead until the rebirth, new creation of the messiah.

            The most difficult theology, basic Christianity, as we who are alive, even those of us who are chosen-elected-predestined, thrive on earth, we never understand that we are just dead people walking until reborn by belief in the redemption of Jesus Christ (on the cross the temple vale, his flesh, rent top to bottom), giving to all who repent and believe not only life but eternal life.

            In an eastern North Carolina newspaper, blind editor Henry Belk, always, a prominent person, would write an obituary with the letters R.I.P (rest in peace). He, and anyone else alive, could only have the hope of that peace. If, before the foundation of the world, God had given this individual as well as the chosen others to Jesus Christ, there would be that rest and that peace (John 6:64-66, 1 John 2:1-5, Eph 1:4).

            It was God's pleasure, his divine plan, to give life to man, freedom of will, and a soul which could live forever through Jesus Christ. Eternal life is a gift, nothing anyone can do to earn it.

            In this day of a "prosperity gospel" when the worship service gives more honor to man than to God (guitar player, drums, mystical music), man made drama like other matters regarding the courage of faith should be remembered at the large table, or following his example in Baptism.

            90% of faith is just raw courage, courage not only at the church house, school house, but even your house. Unless there is courage in the living of Christianity before children, they will consider the gospel message just an act, just an action at the church or other special occasions, even the barrel of a loved one. The reason most young people forsake the church, after being exposed to the world, the flesh, the Devil, all of which they will experience in one form or another is because they have a feeling instead of the fact of faith. Most young people have not been exposed to life...know nothing of the realities of food production, essentials of health.

            The blind leading the blind, college teachers. "[There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.[There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.....The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid....The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer... A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any" (Proverbs 30:11-30).

            Before R.I.P can be placed on anyone's grave marker, particularly one of advanced age, there is an appreciation of life and knowledge, which the activity of youth uses effectively as a barrier. The barrier is removed with time, space, and hardship. IF you have never faced the realities of life, and this world traveler has seen them on every world continent, relax, they are heading your way.

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).