It is still…one way or the other!
It is still…one way or the other!
By Don Twobears
Through out all of time, we view Death as something bad, something to keep as far from ourselves, as is humanly possible. I am able to understand how the actual cause of dying would be regarded as horrifying, depending on certain variables, like maybe a fire or drowning. We watch the daily news reports and as such, they seem to have a “Need”, to sensationalize such a permanently altering occasion. This does not mean that the media is blood-thirsty, it means they are as mesmerized at another’s predicament, as we are while watching the news. What I find odd, is that we need to know what they looked like before death, what was it that they did in life, who were their friends and were we ever a part of that? There is however, one thing that continually stands out about death, that no one has ever been able to answer for us, “What is on the other side of Death”?
One aspect of death comes to mind, “Faith”. It is simple enough for one person to have “Faith” that there is Life after death and equally simple for the next person, to have a lack there of, thus is the essence of the continual debate. Some wish to have a “Religious” belief of an afterlife, while the others choose to believe that after death, there is nothing, everything ends at that exact moment. What everyone seems to want is a “Simplistic View” of death and the afterward and then to never deal with the idea again. Everyone wants assurances, everyone wants there to be an After-Life, yet they want it on their terms, their way. Thus we find there to be a litany of religions to that effect. It is then incumbent on the individual, to super-select the process of worship, they feel will guarantee the desired outcome. Of course this is not the entire reason for ones “Process of Worship”, but it is understood to be one of the greatest of parameters.
What causes the greatest of problems, is one simple question, “Are you sure you have picked the most correct route”?! It is also very common for an individual to believe according to what one’s Parents believed and subsequent question would be, “Why would my Mom and Dad lie about something like this?” It is also common, now days, to have those that are like their Parents, that have no view of Belief, in any direction. If one comes together with people of all these varying perspectives, one can easily find the area to be hostile. If one or all of these perspectives are conversed openly, one will find a variety of “Blacklines” drawn, which are not to be crossed. You would be surprised, at how young, individuals are when they draw these “Blacklines” for themselves and that these choices are hardened with time. There is one aspect of these, that no one seems to grasp, understanding that there is a difference between “What is Physical and what is Spiritual”. In that most are not able to separate the two, example; Muslims look forward to dying and going to Heaven to live with 72 virgins. How does one experience physical pleasure in a spiritual domain?
We are so intricately tied to our physical bodies, never once understanding that this “Fluid Filled bag of bones” are usable for such a short period of time. We pass Viruses and bacteria back and forth among ourselves, because we are 63% fluid, a rather helpless situation at best. And at the same time, we are created with such wondrous abilities, we amaze ourselves on a occasion. And yet, our simple desire is to prolong the usage of these “bodies”. There in lies the question, “To what end”? We have a difficult time seeing that we are “Spiritual as well as physical” while we are alive, that our goal is to never let our bodies die. We then fore-go the need to see our Spiritual side, yet all the while, knowing death is possible at any one second. We can then see how our physical desires, could then try and form our Spiritual lives, hopefully to fruition after the death of our body. It must also be understood there are Volumes upon volumes of literature, to that effect. It is then again, up to the individual, to super-select the information, that fits ones belief system or vice-versa. Yet the question remains “Are you correct in your decision”? In other words, is your belief system grounded in enough fact, to make it the better decision? If we truly believe there is a distinct difference between “Physical and Spiritual”, then the Muslim idea of the 72 virgins is wrong, we would not accept that as a Belief System. The same thing goes with “The things we must DO if we are to go to Heaven”. In other words, in our Belief System, are we comfortable with believing we must DO many things here, in this life, to be accepted in Heaven in the next life? Or as many others say “Are we simply spinning our wheels for no reason or effect”??
If we believe there is no after-Life, then we are to enjoy this life as best we can and as often as we can, until the end, no rules of any kind. This is the most simple, no thought required. For those that choose differently, the ideas and directions are unfathomable and extremely diverse in direction. Again, “Are you correct in your decision”? It must be clearly understood that only one is actually correct, with you arriving at Heaven after death. Here again there will be contention! One thing is, as it must be, understood, “If you are born into this life, you will surely die in this life one day!” There is no way around that statement and everyone already KNOWS this.
There is one thing that everyone desires, to live! And it never matters if one is living in abject Poverty or quasi-uber-normal wealth, everyone wants to live and no one wants to die. It is evident to all that death is failure! A Failure to thrive, if you will. Horse-Hockey! It is also evident, according to these bodies of ours, that to spring a leak and begin loosing fluids, is bad! For the bones to become disfigured, or lost all together, and then useless is bad! If that is so, then why do we choose to continue into forever with these bodies? That just doesn’t make any sense!
I believe the Bible as written by the influence of God. The Bible contains all the reasons we are created, it gives us the reason for our living each and every day. It gives us the evidence of what will take place after our death. It gives us the “Prophecies…of things to come” and when these things come and we see that, we believe. In other words, we learn to have “Faith” in our God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and HIS Holy Word the Bible!
Hebrews 11:1-6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
It is because of our Faith in Gods Holy Word, that we read and see the Past, which gives us understanding of our Present day, and the Prophecies mold our futures.
Ephesians 2:7-10 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
If we so choose anything else other than the Holy Word of God, then we choose anything other than HIS Righteousness, we disregard HIS Love for us, we turn our back on HIS desire for us to live into Eternity with HIM. To do so, is a choice you must make and you must do so before you die. This single decision, is the entire reason, we are created and here on this little planet.
Joshua 24:15-16 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods.”
Exodus 3:13-15 “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”
Revelation 22:110-14 “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Say whatever you want, but know this, When someone comes along and tells me something like this and then turns around and proves it to me, I will believe them! This is what I find in Jesus Christ, Answers and Prophecies, things that are tangible, Promises that I can hold dear. I no longer have to wonder or question anything, I have my answers and I know the future and for me that is enough, I Believe in JESUS CHRIST and no other!!
Jesus Christ IS my EVERYTHING!!!