Priorities
I had another breakthrough the other day. The way these usually go, I will go through a time of testing, or something, read a scripture passage that I have probably read dozens of times, and it will finally get through. It may clarify a specific issue, or, as in this case, put another issue into perspective.
Here’s how it went. I had been reading some things by authors I admire. I read where the idea of “soul sleep” is fairly prominent among some of these authors. This is the idea that nothing happens after we die until the return of Christ at the Great Resurrection. I decided to do some internet research and sure enough, there is quite a bit of disagreement over what happens right after we die. Does our soul leave our body and go to its eternal destiny, or do we fall asleep until the return of Christ when we will be resurrected and joined with him? There are passages that seem to speak to both points of view, and there are good people on both sides of this issue.
I must confess, it confused me a bit because I have always felt that the soul leaves the body at the moment of death, and, in the case of a believer, goes to Paradise, or something like that, to be with God. The soul of an unbeliever goes to a darker, more desperate place. It may be best to describe it as going to be with God…or not. The final destination is later.
Not long after that, someone came to my door wanting to share with me some information about their faith. I knew very little about this church, and spoke to the person briefly. I was given a brochure and the person left. We actually had a few things in common. I found out later, however, that the faith this person is part of is not trinitarian, in other words, does not recognize God as co-equal, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus, according to them is completely separate from the Father and is therefore less than the Father.
After that, the Holy Spirit decided it was time to show me the meaning behind a verse I had seen many times. At first I did not get the connection.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
It is found in Titus 2:13. “…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”
There it was! As my sainted dad would say (who, I am convince is with God today, by the way), “There it is, plain as the nose on your face!” I discovered this verse thinking about the visitor at my door.
You can do your own research on this, and by all means, start with the Gospel of John, chapter 1. Talk about clear!
Now, what does this have to do with priorities or the other issue of what happens after we die? To acknowledge that Jesus Christ is indeed “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us,” (Matthew 1:23, KJV), is by far the more important issue. Acknowledging who Christ is determines what we will be in this life and what the next one will be as well.
Ok, so what will happen to me right after I die? I think I will go to be with God…I hope. However…and this is important…I will find out someday one way or the other. Whether I go to be with God or remain asleep until Christ’s coming, either one will be fine with me, just so I am with Christ. For now, however, I will serve Jesus Christ…God with us…with joy and hope in my heart.
I was almost giddy with joy when I saw this. I almost wanted a celestial “high five,” but decided that if He gave me a high five, it would probably kill me. Instead, I will settle for falling on my face before our Great God, Jesus Christ, in joy, praise, and gratitude, and try to live my life accordingly.
In the meantime, I won’t worry about dying or what happens after that.
Thanks be to God!
