Each quarter we publish the “Gospel Messenger”. It is called the “gospel” because this means “good news”.

What is your life? James chapter 4 verse 14

The question

This is a question that James asks in his book in our Bible. Some people go to great lengths to express human compassion to others who are in need across the world. Others feel they’re here just for pleasure; ‘I’m here to have a good time, to enjoy the days and the hours while I have them’. Other people think it’s to have a family; some believe its power, money or knowledge. Then there’s a group of people - it’s hard to know how many, but maybe you’re one of them - and for you there just doesn’t seem to be any meaning to your life. James in his book describes a businessman, going into a town the next day to do business, to buy and sell, to trade and make a profit, to get gain. He had so many plans: he was going to do well, he was going to expand his business, maybe bring more people on, spread out into other towns and other villages - all very laudable - but the man’s problem was, God was not in his plans! He had forgotten God. Maybe your life is empty and there is no meaning to it, and that’s because God isn’t in it. Maybe it’s filled with the froth of activity, and yet deep down you know that that’s not what life, this life that you’ve been gifted with, is all about in the end.

The answer

Well, James not only asks the question, he also gives the answer – life is a vapour!

"It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away"

Like boiling the kettle, the steam comes out, the mist: it appears for a little time, then vanishes. This reflects our time on earth. Now while it might seem to us that we are here today and gone tomorrow, that is not the end!

The Bible tells us, as if giving us a glimpse through the window of eternity, that there is an unseen realm that is every bit as real. In fact the Apostle, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 18:

"The things which are seen are temporal (or transient) but the things which are not seen are eternal"

So James, if you like, is saying: ‘while your life is seen, make sure that you are not living only for the things that are seen’ I wonder are you only living for what you can see?

Eternity

Here’s a second thing: your life is brief, but there is an eternity. James also says, “a little time” – in the grand timescales of eternity our time down here on this earth is aptly described as “a little time”

1. You only have “a little time” here on earth to prepare for God’s great eternity. In other words, use this brief life that you have to prepare for everlasting life.

2. God has told us in His word (the Bible) how we can prepare for His eternity. The good news is that The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross at Calvary almost 2000 years ago so you can have your sins forgiven today! He has done all the preparation for you. All that is left for you to do is to repent of your sin, be willing to turn from it, and in turning from it turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask forgiveness for your sin and trust Him by faith for your salvation. And only then will you have prepared for the great eternity.

3. Don’t leave it too late. Tomorrow is the most uncertain, unpredictable friend you have. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 2

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation"

So what is your life? And what are you doing with it?

Every Sunday at 6pm we have a gospel meeting at the hall.

All are very welcome