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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
God's Answers to Man's Questions
Early man had no encyclopedias or history books to provide answers to his questions. Those who study Behavioral Science tell us that in the mind of every normal person there are three questions that must be answered. Each generation must find the answers for themselves. They may be worded differently, but they are all the same.
WHO AM I?
Each of these questions is inter-related with the others to some extent. Recent generations have called this a means of “finding myself,” but each person needs to know who and what he/she is. Self-identity goes beyond a question of biology, for we learn some of that in school. This question implies a need to understand how we fit into our “context” of existence. It deals with one’s importance and capability among his/her peers. “Who am I? Am I merely a small piece of a larger puzzle? Do I have significance in this world?” We have learned a lot about self-esteem in the last decade, and we still have a lot more to learn, but each of us needs to know how we can fit into the overall scheme of life.
God answers that question by telling us the story of His love for us—each and every one of us. A love so great that He was willing to give His “only begotten Son” for our redemption. That is who I am; the object of God’s love and grace. And if the price of an object is any indication of its worth, I am very valuable to God, for the highest price ever paid for anything was paid for my redemption and yours —the “precious blood of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1:18-19.
No, I am not merely a “blob of tissue” or protoplasm, the end result of eons of biological and genetic accidents. I am one for whom Christ died, and that means I am pretty important!
WHY AM I HERE?
We have known for centuries that a person without purpose seldom lives long and will accomplish little. God knew that and has made it clear from the beginning that man is here to work. No, work was not a part of the curse of Eden, for work was given to man before sin was committed. Man is here to “work the works of God,” John 6:28, and those works will not be completed until our days are finished.
These will describe why I am here:
- “Created in Christ Jesus unto good works,” Ephesians 2:10.
- “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matt. 5:16.
- “Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God,” Job 37:14.
- “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31.
- “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you…pray for them which despitefully use you…Give to every man that asketh of thee...And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise,” Luke 6:27-31.
- “Hereunto were ye called…Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps,” 1 Pet. 2:21.
- “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above…Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” Colossians 3:1-2.
- “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,“ Matthew 28:19.
- “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,” Ephesians 4:32.
What am I waiting for—let’s get busy!
WHERE AM I GOING?
This question must be answered by each of us. To some extent, the answer depends on how you view the first two questions. One thing is sure, you are going somewhere, and that somewhere will eventuate in eternity.
I often think of our youths when I discuss the future, but old and young alike have a future. A student will chart his/her course, make a degree plan, decide on their direction in life, then do what it takes to complete the course.
However, many never take the time or apply the mind to the need for a plan in life. Near the end of his life Solomon spoke of a time when we “shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets,” Ecclesiastes 12:5.
Yes, as opposed to this life, which is brief and full of trials, man looks to the time when we go to our “long home.” The nature of that “long home” depends upon how I have prepared in this life for that home.
Jesus said He has gone to “prepare a place” for us, and He said “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go, the way ye know,” John 14:3-4. My responsibility is to BE READY when that time comes.
IN SUMMARY:
Who am I? I am one for whom the love of God has been poured out in great measure. God loves you and me, and our every step should be in the direction of keeping ourselves in His love, Jude 1:21.
Why am I here? To express by my way of life my gratitude to God for His matchless love for me. To glorify God, to prepare for an eternity with Him, and take as many with me as I can.
Where am I going? That depends on the direction I take in life. Whether heaven or hell, I will go where I have chosen to go.
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The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts life.”
“He who lives well is the best preacher.”
“Our lives are a manifestation of what we think about God.”
“Let us so live that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
“The future is something which everyone reaches at the same rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”
Skeptic Bertrand Russell’s view of life:
“The life of man is a long march in the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, toward a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long.”
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The Tragedy of a Wasted Life
The first time I saw this man, he was in his house drinking beer. I had been asked by a preacher friend of mine to go with him and make a visit to this man’s home. I consented, so off we went. We arrived at the little run-down shack where he was staying, and after knocking several times, this man finally answered the door. We introduced ourselves and were invited in. The living room, which also served as a bedroom, was a fog. The smoke from countless cigarettes was heavy in the air – so heavy it was difficult to breathe. Lying on a makeshift bed in the living room was a woman with whom he was living. As we tried to talk to him about his spiritual condition, he sat drinking his beer as he listened.
A typical story of another wasted life, right? Well, yes and no. It was indeed another wasted life, but it was not your typical story. You see, the man we went to visit that day used to be an evangelist. He came from a Christian home. He graduated from a Christian University, earning a Master’s Degree. He preached for several congregations, and was probably best known for the books he had written. But things went tragically wrong in this man’s life. He began a life of drinking. Then it wasn’t long until he began womanizing and destroyed his marriage.
Now after turning his heart away from God for a season, he sits in a small, dark, smoke-filled room, drinking his beer, with his life in a shambles. In the corner of that small room were boxes containing the books and tracts that he had written. They stood almost as a monument of his prior usefulness, and a final vestige of the man he used to be.
My point in telling you this is that none of us is immune to sin. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking these things just couldn’t happen to you. They can, and they do happen to people just like you. The apostle Paul warned us that even he had to discipline his body to bring it into subjection lest, he himself, should be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27). Satan is a respecter of no one. If he would dare tempt the Son of God (Luke 4), then he will surely tempt you and me. We must be aware of the devices of the Devil (Eph. 6:11). We must not flirt with, but rather flee from sin (1 Cor. 6:18). We must learn to develop an abhorrence rather than a tolerance of the things which displease God (Rom. 12:9). We must love the truth more than our own selfish desires (2 Tim. 4:2-4). We must remember that we are humble servants, and not duly ordained monarchs in the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 3:5-8). And we must continually remember to take heed lest we fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
A wasted life is always just one decision away. Oh, we can always return to God in repentance, and He will receive us back. But returning to God does not undo the damage to our bodies, our health, our families, our reputations, and the church.
The last time I saw this man, we were sitting on the front pew of the church building where I preach. He was drunk, thick-tongued, and his speech was slurred. As we sat there, he openly wept aloud over his wasted life, and expressed hope that God would understand. Not too long after that meeting, he died from complications of his drinking.
His life was a tragic waste, but it will ever serve to remind me of what can happen to one, anyone, even a faithful proclaimer of the gospel, who chooses to walk in the path of sinners. May we choose to live so that when we reach the end of our lives, we don’t have to lament in sorrow and regret.
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