IT IS EVEN A VAPOUR
By John C. Carpenter
James, the brother of Jesus, and a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
wrote to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts
that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,
because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore
he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double
minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and
judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but
a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To
day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 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. For
that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing
is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:1-17).
A VAPOUR
Because we
humans are so busy and distracted with the details and activities of daily life, the truth is that most of us do not even think about
the short length of our lives, and what that means. The scriptures teach that, at best, life is short – maybe 70 or 80 years. But,
as we all know, sudden and unexpected accidents do happen. Occasionally, some people die early. The truth is that we do not know what
tomorrow [or the next hour or the next second] holds for us. We all know from experience, though, that because of unexpected reasons,
life can even be cut shorter than expected. We all have known of someone who died early, in the womb, at birth, in childhood, in infancy,
or during their teen years. Many of us have had classmates who died in their fifties or sixties, yet we are still alive. The bible
teaches us that even when things go well, life is still extremely short for most of us. So to speak, we blink a couple of times, and
50 or 60 years have gone by. The question we can and should then ask, is, so what? What does a short length of life mean for us? How
and what should we think about living for a very limited time? What can and should we do about it? How should we then behave, and
what should our priorities be?
James described life as nothing more that a vapour. In verse 14, the word life is translated from
the Greek word zoe, which means life, to live literally or figuratively, lively, quick, or life. In our subject verses, James describes
three characteristics of our life: It is even a vapour [Greek, atmis, to breathe unconsciously, by analogy to blow, circumambient,
to expire, or a mist], that appeareth [Greek, phaino, to lighten, to shine, show transitive, or be seen] for a little time [Greek,oligos, puny, brief, few, short, or small] and then vanisheth away [Greek, aphanizo, to render unapparent, consume, to disappear,
be destroyed, become corrupt, or perish] (James 4:14). James says that our lives are nothing more than a breath that appearss and
shine for a short and puny amount of time and then disappears or perishes. So, the question is how should we live today?
David,
the mighty psalmist, understood the limits of life. He described life as frail, coming to naught, empty, transitory, and troubled:LORD, make me to know mine end [Hebrew, qets, after, border, time to be chopped off, or length as being finite], and the measure [Hebrew,middah, extension, height or breadth, portion, or measure] of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail [Hebrew, chadel, vacant,
ceasiing, destitute, cease to be, or rejected] I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing [Hebrew,ayin, to be nothing, not exist, fail, be gone, never, or come to naught] before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity [Hebrew,hebel, emptiness, transitory, or unsatisfactory]. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted [Hebrew, hamah,
to make a loud sound, tumult, rage, moan, to cry aloud, or be troubled] in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather
them (Psalms 39:4-6).
The scriptures teach us that our lives are limited to a few days, and cannot be shortened or extended,
except by the Lord: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down:he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with
thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee,
thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass (Job 14:1-5).
The apostle Peter describes life with these words: For all flesh
is as grass [Greek, sarx, the meat of an animal, the body as opposed to the soul or spirit, a symbol of what is external, human nature
with its physical and moral frailties, a human being, or carnal minded], and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass
withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away (1 Peter 1:24).
God the Father has appointed a specific time for all things which
happen in life. The times and events in this life are not only directed by God the Father, but short by God's standards and priorities:To every thing there is a season [Hebrew, zeman, an appointed occasion, or a fixed time], and a time to every purpose [Hebrew, chephets,
pleaure, inclination, desire, concretely a valuable thing, or matter] under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time
to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build
up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones
together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to
cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time
of war, and a time of peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
The psalmist prayed to God, I am a stranger [Hebrew, geyr, properly a guest,
a foreigner, an alien, suggests being temporary, or a sojourner] in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me (Psalms 119:19).
Clearly, we know that life is extremely short, and we are helpless to control its' length.
HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?
God
the Father prophesied through Ezekiel these words concerning Israel: Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel;
Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto
them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live:
turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:10-11). Because the transgressions and sins
of Israel were upon them and apparent, God, through Ezekiel, asked Israel, How should we then live? We might use this very question
regarding another issue of the length of life – since our own lives are so fragile, fleeting, vulnerable, and short, and nothing but
a vapour, we should ask, what should we do, how should we think, how should we behave? What should our priorities be? How should we
then live? The scriptures offer us many answers to this question, only some of which we will cover in this article.
For example,
in a prayer of Moses, we learn, For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [Hebrew, hegeh, a muttering,
sighing, thought, to ponder, or tell a tale] that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten [70 years]; and if by
reason of strength they be fourscore years [80 years], yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off [Hebrew, guz,
to shear off, passing rapidly, bring to an end], and we fly away [Hebrew, uph, to cover with obscurity, become dim from the darkness
of swooning, wax faint, become weary]. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach
us to number [Hebrew, manah, to weigh out, to allot, enumerate or enroll as few, appointed length of time, or set as limited] our
days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom [Hebrew, chokmah, wisdom in a good and beneficial sense, or knowledge and understanding
that produces skill](Psalms 90:9-12). Because our lives are short and vain, we should pursue the type of wisdom that results in our
having skill, success, and joy in our short and often seemingly painful and pointless lives.
The scriptures also teach that the
believer in Christ should perform good works, not in order to be saved, but because he or she is already faithful and saved. Your
good works, seen by others, bring glory to our heavenly Father. Jesus taught His disciples, Ye are the light of the world. A city
that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
With life being as fragile, troubled, and fleeting as it is, Jesus also teaches us that we should
not be anxious about what we drink, eat, or wear; but we should first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The pursuit of
the kingdom can and must be our priority. Jesus adds, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold
the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye
not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought [Greek, merimnao, to be anxious about, to be distracted by, or to be careful]can add one cubit unto his stature [Greek, helikia, maturity in years, age, or length of life]? And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow
is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:25-34).
Because life is extremely short, we should also strive to please our heavenly
Father by resisting sin and walking in holiness and newness of life. Paul wrote, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man
is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:1-6).
Writing
to the church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul adds, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,
that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments
we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, purification, purify self,
to consecrate, to be set apart, or exhibit holiness], that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how
to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thessalonians 4:1-4). As Paul teaches here, believers should conduct their short
lives in a state of sanctification.
The scriptures tell us that while the believer is on this earth, whatever that time may be,
he or she should expect to suffer in the flesh, should no longer live the rest of his time according to the lusts of men, live in
the Spirit of God, and be sober and watch with prayer. The apostle Peter wrote, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer
should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice
us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and
abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who
shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that
are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things
is at hand: be ye therefore sober [Greek, sophroneo, to be of sound mind, self controlled, discreet, or be moderaate], and watch [Greek,nepho, to abstain from wine, be discreet, or to be sober] unto prayer (1 Peter 4:1-7).
Recognizing his short time here on earth,
the apostle Paul spoke these words to the elders in the Ephesian church. The apostle said that he was serving the Lord with humility
of mind, had given his all to those he ministered to, had testified to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith thoward
the Lord Jesus, did not count his life dear unto himself, and was determined to finish his course of calling and ministry which he
had received of the Lord. Paul wrote, And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into
Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have
shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none
of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:18-24).
Clearly, the believer should strive
to take full advantage of his or her short time on earth and Take heed [Greek, blepo, to look at literally or figuratively, to behold,
beware, look upon, perceive, or regard] to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil [execute, fully preach]it (Colossians 4:17).
Because the believer has such a short time available, and does want to please the Lord, he or she should
also deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, and continue to look for that
blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).
Because our time here on earth
is so very short and so very vain, we should focus on eternal and heavenly things rather than temporal and worldly things: If ye then
be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3). As Paul taught, we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things
which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Jesus even teaches, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure
to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that
faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke
12:32-34).
Considering that life is so short, the scriptures teach us that we should also strive to live a Godly life (2 Peter
2:6, 2 Cor 1:12, 2 Tim 3:12, 3 John 1:6, Luke 1:75, Rom 6:19, and 1 Thess 4:7).
Because life is so short, Peter teaches us that
we should strive to verify that we have a clear calling and election: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure [Greek, bebaios, stable literally or figuratively, firm, sure-footed, of force, or steadfast]: for if ye
do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11). We should verify that we have a firm relationship with God the Father; Christ, His
Son; and the Holy Spirit.
In order to make the most of our short time in this physical body, the believer in Christ should also
strive to display patience, appropriateness, and gentleness with all men, because the Lord is at hand and we know Him. As Paul instructs
us, Let your moderation [Greek, epieikes, appropriate, mild, gentle, or patient] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand (Philippians
4:5).
Paul also teaches the believer in Christ to always make the work of the Lord a priority: Therefore, my beloved brethren,be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). After all, in the short time we have been given on this earth, what is more important than the Lord and
His work.
In our short, vain life, the believer should also make giving a priority, because giving is God's priority, as well
as a tremendous blessing. Paul wrote the Ephesian elders, Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities,
and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:34-35). Jesus even taught His own disciples,Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).
Also important in our short
lives is sowing, or what Paul also referred to as well doing. Look at what Paul told the Galatian church: Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth [Greek, speiro, through the idea of extending, to scatter, or to sow literally or figuratively],
that shall he also reap [Greek, herido, in the sense of the crop, or to obtain a harvest]. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary [Greek,ekkakeo, to be bad or weak, to fail in heart, or to faint] in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:7-10).
John adds, Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning
shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even
eternal life (1 John 2:24-25).
Next, because life is so short, we should appreciate it and rejoice in it daily: This is the day
which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24), while Jesus teaches us, These things have I spoken unto
you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11), while Paul told the Philippian church, Rejoice
in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
Next, because we have such short lives, whatever we do, whatever
our daily activities involve, we should so do those things as if we were doing them unto God and for God. As an example, Paul wrote
to the church in Colossae, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily [Greek, psuche, to do with spirit, animal sentient, vitality, or to
do abundantly], as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye
serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).
During our lives, no matter how short, the ever wise Solomon advises us to Get wisdom [Hebrew,cholmah, wisdom in a good sense, to be wise in mind, work, or act, to be skillful, or have wit], get understanding [Hebrew, biynah,
knowledge, meaning, discernment, or to respond perfectly]: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her
not, and she shall preserve [Hebrew, shamar, to hedge about, guard, protect, attend to, observe, regard, or watch] thee: love her,
and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal [Hebrew, reshiyth, the first in place, time, order or rank, a firstfruit, chief,
excellent, or first thing] thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote
thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory
shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many (Proverbs 4:5-10). Solomon
says of wisdom, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst
desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are
ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that
retaineth her (Proverbs 3:13-18).
Writing to the belivers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul offered some wonderful advice. Paul instructed
them, Awake [Greek, egeiro, collecting one's faculties, to rouse from sleep, awake from natural or spiritual sleep, raise up again,
rear up, or rise] thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly [diligently],
not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming [rescue every opportunity] the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, butunderstanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking
to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for
all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians
5:14-21). Because Paul knew the lives of the Ephesian believers were short, as is ours, he intructed the church in Ephesus to become
more spiritually alert and attentive, arise from their spiritual slumber, live with diligence, taking advantage of every opportunity,
to seek to understand the will of the Lord, be filled with the Holy Spirit, sing and make melody to themselves, to give thanks always
for all things unto God and the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and, lastly, to humbly submit to each other in the fear of God.
Regarding
our short lives, the apostle Paul also instructs us, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?So run, that ye may obtain (1 Corinthians 9:24). The believer in Christ should take full advantage of the time he or she is given
by living the course of our Christian life so that we may win the prize of the personal and eternal presence of God the Father, and
eternal life through our faith in Christ. In the book of Hebrews [possibly written by Paul], we read, Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
let us run [walk hastily]with patience the race [Greek, agon, conflict, a contest, contention, or a fight] that is set before us,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). Because tomorrow may not manifest for us, and there
are those who are watching us, Paul advises us to not only enter into life's battles, but to do so while continuing to keep our eyes
on Jesus Christ, the author and completer of our faith.
Because we do not know our end, and because we love the Lord and want
to please Him, the believer in Christ should also work seriously at his or her calling from and in the Lord, whatever that calling
may be. Paul exhorts us to Take heed [Greek, blepo, to behold, beware of, look on, perceive, or highly regard] to the ministry [Greek,diakonia, attendance, service, ministration, or office] which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil [Greek, pleroo, to
make replete, to cram, execute, finish, accomplish, or fully preach] it (Colossians 4:17). In Hebrews we read, Therefore we ought
to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word [messge
and doctrine] spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them
that heard him: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:1-4). The believer must also give earnest heed to the doctrines taught by the apostles and disciples
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In order to best use the short time on earth given to us by the Lord, Paul taught us that the believer
should, henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which
is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15); and that we should Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Timothy 4:1). The believer in Christ must remain faithful
to the gospel doctrine of salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and be comfortable with none other. Paul pointedly
taught the church in Corinth, For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit,
which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Preaching
from on top of Mars hill in Athens, the apostle Paul taught that seeking the Lord should also be a major priority for us. Paul taught,God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And
hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed,
and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be
not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we
are also his offspring (Acts 17:24-28). In making the most of our time here, the believer, who is the offspring of God and Christ,
should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though He is never far from every one of us - For in him we
live, and move, and have our being.
Again, Jesus reminds us of what our priorities should be in our short, vain lives. As He
told His own disciples, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought
for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:31-34).
Keeping
our short lives in focus, John Mark exhorts us to follow the most important of God's commandments: And one of the [Jewish] scribes
came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he [Jesus] had answered them well, asked him [Jesus], Which is
the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one
Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:
this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other
commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there
is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he
answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question (Mark
12:28-34). At best, we humans are given a very short time here on earth, and in an effort to please God the Father by keeping His
most significant commandments, the greatest thing that the believer should do while in his current tabernacle is love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength and to love thy neighbour as thyself. As
Christ explaiined, there is none other commandment greater than these. In our subject verses, James summarizes his thoughts about
our short, vain, and arrogant lives with these words: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. AMEN!
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the
LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to
pass”
(Psalms 37:3-5).
“If ye then be risen
with Christ, seek
those things which
are above, where
Christ sitteth on
the right hand of
God. Set your
affection
on things above, not on
things
on the earth"
(Colossians 3:1-2).
------------
"It is since Christians
have largely ceased
to
think of the other
world that they have
become so ineffective
in this!"
C. S. Lewis
