For What Is Your Life?
By Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
To The diligent student of God’s Word, the above title may be a familiar phrase. The title for these thoughts is a partial quote from the inspired writer James. “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). In the context of this sobering verse, the Holy Spirit reminds each and every human how fragile life really is. Life passes so very quickly and must be lived to the fullest each day. We are only in this body for a comparatively short amount of time! How can the Christian make certain that he lives each day to the fullest so as to not waste his redeemed years?
First,
Christians must Daily Outshine the Darkness. Our lives upon this
earth are so brief, and therefore, God’s child cannot waste any opportunity to
illuminate this dim world. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). It is imperative that each Christian
not hide his light, but rather shine brightly. How can we daily outshine the
darkness? God’s child illuminates this world by being joyful! Christians have
reason to be full of joy, for we know the Savior! Sometime after the birth of
Jesus, it is said of the wise men, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10). Christians, like the wise men of old,
should radiate with joy because we have seen the Star of Bethlehem! That Bright
Star (i.e., the Savior, cf.
Second,
Christians must Daily Outlast the Discouragement. Discouragement can
and will ruin our cause if we are not vigilant. We all face times of
discouragement and disappointment. However, this author believes the key to
outlasting the discouragement is to remember our help. Christians must
understand that we are not in this walk of faith (cf.
Third,
Christians must Daily Outwork the Devil. In a world so saturated
with sin, it often seems that Christians are not making progress. It even
sometimes appears that the devil is winning. However, we know that “God is
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). What a wonderful sentiment to realize the
faithfulness of God. Even when it seems the odds are against us, we know that,
“The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish” (Proverbs
10:3a). Therefore, we must outwork the devil by determinate perseverance! In
other words, we must never give up in the work we have been called to do (cf.
Beyond doubt, life is as a passing vapor. It is here
today and gone tomorrow. Because of the brevity of our stay on earth, God’s
children must not waste their redeemed years (Ephesians 5:16; 