BY JACK WARD
PASTOR, TOMAHAWK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
On May 28, 1914, a ship called the Express of Ireland hit another ship and began to sink quickly. As the ship began to sink in the cold Atlantic Ocean, it was discovered that there were not enough life belts on board for all the passengers. On that ship were 130 Salvation Army officers – 109 drowned and not one body picked up had on a life belt. The few survivors told how the Salvation Army Christians took off their own belts and strapped them even upon strong men, saying, “I can die better than you can.” From the deck of that ship was demonstrated what it means to live with a new priority, passion and power.
We do everything we can to make these bodies last longer. We diet, take pills, go to health clubs, meditate, practice yoga, and even go to church. Yes, there are many churches that only appeal to the body. How to have your best life now is the mantra now in the church. We aren’t concerned about the life to come, only the life now.
Those Salvation Army Christians had it right. We can die better than most people because we are prepared to die. Most people in this world put their focus on preparing to live instead of preparing to die. But we can live better also. Not because we are in better physical shape than non-Christians, but we are in better spiritual shape because we have recognized our sins and the fact that we need a Savior and have trusted in the Lord Jesus. We have made living for Him the focus of our life.
The Bible says that our bodies are dying daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Paul knew that this world is not our home, it is not our goal to have a great life here, it is not our goal to eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. No, the goal of a Christian is to lose his life so that He might find it. Matthew 10:39: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” I’m not at all against exercise and taking medicines that the doctor prescribes. Bodily exercise will allow us to be healthier so that we can be better able to do the Lord’s work. Medicines do the same things. I believe Christians ought to try to live as long as they can in the service of the Lord and to His glory.
Even though exercise and medicines are good they have a limited effect. If the Lord tarries we are all going to die. We need to prepare for the place we are going to be 100 years from now and for all eternity instead of putting all of our energy and worry about this body. I have done many funerals. Young people die, old people die, sick people die, and even healthy people die. So I know for a fact that the Bible is true when it says in Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Believers will be judged not for sins (they are covered by the blood of Christ) but for service for Him. Unbelievers will be judged for their sins.
Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us that God is going to judge us for being physically fit or unfit, for being fat, or for being skinny. We are judged for our faithfulness to Christ and His work. The goal is the same as those courageous Salvation Army Christians.
Can you die better than most people can? Revelation 12:10: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Hear Pastor Jack’s sermons and read sermon text and more at www.tomahawkmbc.com