(2009-03-27)
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There is
life is Short
This morning, 1 500 km away from home, I went jogging. Observing the tall trees and creeper plants all around me, I once again came under the impression of the shortness of life. My thoughts wandered to all our ministry friends, of which you are one, realising that sooner or later in life each one of us will have to face death.
Dear friend, I write from the viewpoint that the Bible is really the source of truth:
• http://www.alwaysbeready.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=43
• http://www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/maps
• http://www.apologeticsinfo.org/papers/trustworthinessofthebible.html
• http://www1.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=1049
Eternal Life – Be Prepared
From that point of view the Bible clearly states the fact of eternal life with God for those who believe in Him. (1 John 5:11-13) “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” (NLT)
According to the Bible, we must agree that we are only living in temporary tent dwellings, which will be exchanged to permanent ones on that unexpected day when the Bridegroom arrives to take His Bride, God’s children, home.
- (2 Corinthians 5:1) “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” (NLT)
- (Mathew 24:44) “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (NLT)
- (Revelation 19:7) “Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.” (NLT)
Quality of my building material
• http://www.bible.ca/d-judgement-day.htm
On that day all men will stand before God’s judgement chair and each person and his conduct as human being will be judged on how well did he/she build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 3:12) “Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.” (NLT) We will be our own witnesses, and with our own eyes we will see how our building material withstand the fire of jugement. Houses of hay, grass or wood might burn faster to ashes as those build with rock or even costly stones.
(1 Corinthians 3:13) “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.” (NLT)
God’s Grace
On that day, as child of God, I shall be rescued.
(1 Corinthians 3:14-15) “If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames..” (NLT) This “saving” might be without a reward, only because of the fact that the born again Christian’s relationship with God is permanent.
(See Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 3:5-15)
Faith
God’s love, grace and forgiveness makes eternal rescue possible. As child of God, I stand in eternal relationship with Christ.
In order to have assurance of salvation, I must receive Christ through faith.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (NLT)
Two Options
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If you are not sure of your eternal destination, please read this article: (How to become a child of God…)
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If you are already a born again child of God, but know that you might be guilty in griefing the Holy Spirit because of unconfessed sin in your life, please read this summarised article written by Dr Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, on How to walk in the Holy Spirit.
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English: (How to walk in the Holy Spirit…)
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Afrikaans: (Hoe om in die Heilige Gees te Wandel...
Until the whole world knows,
Pieter Brits
Director: There is
Internet, Mentoring & Training