Monday, July 9, 2012

Living Dogs And Dead Lions


The bible says we live by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. We do not live according to hope (as a verb), but hope (as a noun) is a truth that cannot be denied.

This is particularly true when referring to the condition of a person's soul.

As long as one lives and breathes there is a hope that their soul will be turned to God.

Even if things are not going particularly well for someone it is better to heed the wisdom of Solomon:

Ecclesiastes 9:4 (Amplified Bible) -  "[There is no exemption] but he who is joined to all the living has hope--for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

You lived with the strength and courage of a lion. Respected and depended upon by everyone. All who knew you loved and honored you.

Now you're dead. All that is left are the testimonials and monuments of a life once lived. If they could see you now. Tortured in the flames of hell and the separation from God. Forever. So you lived a great life according to what society calls a great life. So what? The rest of your life (eternally) is not going so hot (oops...sorry...it really is going very "hot"). Well, you always did think you were "hot stuff".

It would be better that you were still alive as a dog than being the suffering dead lion your are. 

At least if you were living the dogs life there would still be a ray of hope for it getting all turned around for you so you would escape the pains of eternal death.

See what I'm getting at? Better a dog with hope than a lion with no future.

You're not so tough. Ever hear the saying, "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger"?  Not exactly. More than likely whatever doesn't kill you now, and you don't learn from that, will inevitably kill you later. It could also make you think you are indestructible and give you a sense of false bravado.

Hell will be filled with those who thought they were much, much stronger than they really were.

If you're able to read this today than that means you are still breathing. If you are still breathing than you have hope.

Your hope is in Jesus Christ. Put your faith to that and bring that hope into a present reality. Give hope "substance". 

You really can teach an old dog new tricks. Better an old dog in heaven than a young lion in hell.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

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