“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
–Philippians 2:21
IF one has attended many funerals, then one has had to hear someone remark about how “so-and-so is looking down from heaven on us right at this very moment.”
Or words to that effect.
NOW, perhaps the person who voices such a thought really believes it.
Even though NOT much thought obviously was put into that thought before it was spoken.
Recently–while attending a funeral service–this thought was overheard by one of the deceased’s relatives.
Though it is supposed that people of good will can believe that their dead relatives are watching over them (perhaps that is a comfort), in EVER SINGLE INSTANCE that someone visited someone in this life with a message, God’s Word does NOT say they came of their own volition (whether deceased or angel).
In EVERY INSTANCE, the messenger was SENT by God.
So, the initial reaction was to question that person at the funeral.
“Really? If YOU went to heaven, do you think that YOU would be interested in the comings and goings of THIS life and those who were still stuck in it?”
“How can you say such a thing? How can you even think of such a thing? Of course I would be concerned about my loved ones!”
“God’s Word says that everyone is interested in their OWN lives, not other people’s.”
“Where does it say that?”
“In Philippians 2.”
“I’ll have to look that up. What about all of those who have the Holy Spirit?”
This is what one commentator had to say about that particular thought.
…selfishness is natural to all, and Paul’s companions, though Christians, were only partially delivered from it. All men naturally love themselves with all the heart, and soul, and strength, and mind; but they do not love God.
—Family Bible Notes
Though the true believer DOES have the Holy Spirit residing in him, he will NOT be a COMPLETED work of God UNTIL he loses his body of sin and enters heaven (upon death).
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
–1CORINTHIANS 15:53-54
The believer does NOT have ALL of God’s Holy Spirit in this life, only a ‘down payment’ (earnest).
“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
–2CORINTHIANS 1:21-22
Which is one reason the true believer STILL fights his on-going conflict with sin IN THIS LIFE.
DOES the reader believe that those who are in heaven are still concerned about the happenings of this life?
WHAT are the reasons behind the reader feeling the way he does?
It is not YET too late: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: April 26, 2022.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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