[Biblemat] A> Remember.

[Steven C. Harper]

From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
January 14, 2007

Remember.

 

    Some people tie a string around their finger to remember important tasks or errands. I've never tried that because I probably wouldn't remember why the string was on my finger! Others use sticky notes, and have them pasted all over their cubicle or on their refrigerator at home, or wherever they will be visible reminders that some tasks must be done or simply have phone numbers at hand. Some people are organized enough to have upcoming tasks or appointments written down in a daily schedule book they carry with them at all times. I'm working on that one, but I sometimes forget to write something down in that book, or to bring the book with me! It's hard to remember where I put the book sometimes! [Maybe I should tie it to a string that is attached to my finger?]

     With all these tasks we do that must not be forgotten, it is a sad fact that the vast majority of the world never seems to remember to do the important things in life. Oh, every once in awhile when something tragic happens to us, we start re-prioritizing our lives and remember what is really important but, as we saw with 9/11, people soon forget those "important things" and go back to of putting off the important things for the unimportant. Many people put off the important tasks because they are difficult, but this is especially true of spiritual matters. Many people believe they can put off the most important spiritual matters until that infamous "last minute" but, as we saw in an earlier article, no one really knows when that "last minute" is and such is plainly foolish behavior. The time to do the important things is now, and God has given us some things in particular that we should not forget. Let's consider just a few things today:

     Don't Forget God. (Eccl. 12:1) It may seem odd that God would even have to say this within His revealed Word, but this is an age-old problem that will be found in every civilization and in any time period. The preacher specifically said, though, "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'" The time to remember God is while we are young and have the energy and enthusiasm of youth to dedicate ourselves to serving Him and to tell others about Him. When we wait until late in life, we often get wrapped up in other things so deeply that we cannot unbind ourselves and so we find it easier to just stay where we are and do what we've always done.

   But this is a good thing to remember at any time in our lives. The vast majority of the world, though, lives as if they have forgotten - or never known - that God exists and that we will one day have to answer to His Son for what we have done on earth (2 Cor. 5:10). Many live their lives selfishly, never thinking or caring for what God might want - even many religious people. Let us never forget this, though: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31), and, "He will render to each one according to his works" (Rom. 2:6). When we 'forget' God, it will be a terrible moment when we are reminded on that Judgment Day that He does, indeed, exist; but, friends and brethren, on that day it will be too late!

   Remember Lot's Wife. (Luke 17:32) When Jesus made this warning, He was speaking to the Jews who would soon see the Roman army encamped against the city of Jerusalem. He told them that there would be signs of their coming and that they should flee when they had the opportunity and pointed to Lot's wife as an example of what happens when men do not heed God's warning. Lot and his family kept delaying until the last moment and barely escaped. But even then, Lot's wife did not heed the warning to not look back and she did, becoming a pillar of salt. Had they listened to the angels' warnings and prepared to escape immediately, we wouldn't be talking about her today!

   How many people, though, have heard the warning about the coming of Christ being at an unknown time, but who have also continued to delay preparation and scoffed at the idea, like the relatives of Lot? How many people believe they have plenty of time to prepare for His coming, yet who also must foolishly admit they do not know the day He will come? Friends and brethren, let us not forget what happened to Lot's wife and let us be wise enough to prepare for the day when Christ does return. Let us not forget "that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2).

   Remember To Do Good. (Heb. 13:2, 16) For those who have not forgotten God and who have not forgotten to prepare for Christ's coming, there are still many other responsibilities that cannot be forgotten. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Sometimes, we forget this, though, and we turn some away or simply pass by opportunities to show hospitality to strangers. We should be more like Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8), Lot (19:1-3), the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16), the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8ff), and various Christians of the New Testament, including Gaius (3 John 1:5-8). All of these ones - and many others not named here - have given us an example of how we should be willing to show hospitality simply because it is what we should do, not looking for anything in return (cf. Luke 6:30-35).  Besides being a command of God to be hospitable (1 Pet. 4:9), the people of God should be willing to share in their material goods with others because they realize all things we have come from God's hand and we are but passing on what has been given to us! We would not want to follow the same example of ungratefulness seen in the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:23-35), but the principle should apply to everything God has given to us - not just forgiveness.

   Right along with this command to be willing to show hospitality, the writer of Hebrews later adds, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." As we have seen, we should be willing to be hospitable, but this necessarily means we must be willing to share and do good. What we have here is a repeated command of God, which means it is important! But how important?

   Consider the Judgment scene described by Jesus in Matthew 25: Jesus tells of the day when the King will separate all nations from one another, the righteous on one side and the wicked on the other. To the righteous, He will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (v. 34). To the wicked, He would say, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (v. 41). What distinguished the ones praised from those who were condemned? Friends and brethren, listen well! In this scene, the only factor that distinguished the saved from the condemned was the matter of hospitality! That is not to say we can obtain eternal life through hospitality alone, for we must be obedient to the will of God and be joined with Christ for our sins to be forgiven. But once those sins have been forgiven and we are now called God's people, we should - more than anyone else on this earth - be people of hospitality! Our judgment depends on it!

   It is a shame that so many of God's people have allowed the dishonest world to turn them into perpetual and coldhearted skeptics, unwilling to open their homes, hearts, or pocketbooks to those who are truly in need. It is sad that many Christians today have never - never! - done even the simplest act of hospitality [love of strangers]. Instead of letting the world influence us and hinder us from doing good, why do we not turn it around and let our good deeds influence the world? Isn't that the way Jesus said it should be (Matt. 5:16)?

   Remember? Remember!        -- Steven Harper
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