Relative Values

 

We live in a very big Universe. Our minds just cannot conceive how large it is. For example, light travels at three hundred thousand kilometres per second, so if you want to know how far away our nearest Galaxy is in Kilometres, you have to work out how many seconds there are in twelve months and multiply that figure by three hundred thousand in order to calculate one light year. Then multiply that by Seventy thousand and you will have your answer, because our nearest Galaxy is Seventy thousand light years away.  But that still doesn’t tell you how big the universe is because Scientists tell us that it apparently goes on forever. Now that is BIG. O.K then, look at this measuring tape, it is graded in Millimetres. If I decided to use it to measure the length of the Universe, just how many Millimetres of tape would I need?

In the final analysis, you will see that one millimetre on an “endless” tape measure is insignificant. Likewise, our average lifespan of 79 years is also insignificant when we consider that it is such a tiny length of time in our “endless” eternal life. You can see then why God was so distressed to see that in such a relatively short time that we spend here on earth we make ourselves ineligible to enter Heaven by not showing love to Him and our neighbours and being selfish, unforgiving, resentful, cruel and so on. Because, all, or any, of these attitudes, (which amount to sin), place us on the “broad way that leads to destruction” (Matthew chapter 7 verse 13) which in effect means eternal separation from God in Hell. (What a dreadful, and unnecessary outcome that would be). As a loving Father he couldn’t stand by and let that happen without intervening, so he sent Jesus to sacrifice his life so that we could have our sins “deleted” by repenting, and accepting the forgiveness earned for us by Jesus, so we could then inherit that eternal (forever) life in Heaven. Having arranged this situation for us where we can (if we wish), be reinstated as “Children of God”, Jesus then said that “in my Father’s house are many mansions…. I go to prepare a place for you, ….and I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John chapter 14 verse 2). It’s a ‘done deal’. How good is that?

Many people to-day are worrying themselves sick to pay off a house and save enough money to retire on, without giving a thought to the fact that they already have a great inheritance in Heaven, and thus they don’t even claim that inheritance. And talk about worry: “Worry” has been described as being in a rocking chair where you feel as if you are doing something but are really getting nowhere. We need to work on this too as 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 7 says we should be “Casting all our care upon Him for He cares for us”. Check it out, it is what he says, and it does work!

Oh dear friend, you are my brother or sister and I do want us to all get it right, so we can be content here on earth and together in Heaven.  I probably have the advantage of some of you, as I became a Christian when I was 17 and have studied this subject practically, and in depth for 68 years. Jesus wants us to “allow Him” to be involved in our lives. Just consider what He says, as recorded in John Chapter 15 verses 4 and 5: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing”. And so on. And in verse 11 he says “These things have I spoken unto you, that my Joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”. The one who said these things wasn’t joking: He gave His life so that you and I could have “a more abundant life”, both now and forever in eternity. This is a serious matter; our eternal future depends on our decision. Accepting His great love is our only hope. So if you have been casual about these things in the past, then please stop now and check it out, don’t put it off: tomorrow might be too late. Remember Jesus said in John chapter 3 verse 16, in the New Testament, “that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but inherit eternal life” so why not ask Him into your heart right now? If you haven’t already done so.     Best wishes, Tom.