THE MORTAL AND THE IMMORTAL

From My Perspective - - -

There are many varying views regarding life. For the past couple of generations, there has been the issue often discussed in terms of the value of life and when it begins. At the end of the day, those who championed the rights of a woman to determine what occurs with and within her body won a victory and the legalization of abortion became the law in the United States. Since 1973, the nation has allowed for the abortion of more than 55 million babies – and the count continues. In too many instances, very little value is attached to life.

In a recent report, the following was written: “She may not look anywhere near her 76 years but Jane Fonda says she is well aware of her age. The Hollywood legend…admits she has been brought to tears on more than one occasion recently as she comes to terms with her own mortality. In a blog post entitled 'Crying', she wrote: '[I've been thinking], how come my tears are so close to the surface? And I’ve come to feel it has to do with age. I have become so wonderfully, terribly aware of time, of how little of it I have left; how much of it is behind me…” Many would view her life as having been glamorous and successful, but as time passes and as friends and/or associates die – one cannot escape the mortal factor and reality. It is especially difficult if one’s view of life is merely focused on the day one was born up to and until the day when one dies.

Life should have greater meaning and purpose. There needs to be a much broader understanding of that which is mortal and the fact of the immortal. A person who may have projected very little religious concerns nevertheless has the expectation of going to heaven. Why is that the thought and case? In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, there is a list of contrasts and extremes that all encounter in life. They include: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Within the framework of time, something else is present within one. Verse 11 of this chapter indicates: {God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Augustine referenced this as being a “God-shaped hole within every man.” Another commented on this thought and indicated that it is a God-shaped hole in the heart and mind of the individual.

As Moses reflected on life and death, he indicated in Psalm 90:10, “The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” That being said, how then should one be living? An old Hymn written by H. S. Lehman makes this statement of truth in the Refrain: “What you are, speaks so loud, that the world can't hear what you say. They're looking at your walk, not listening to your talk, they're judging from your actions every day. Don't believe, you'll deceive, by claiming what you've never known, they'll accept what they see and know you to be, they'll judge you by your life alone.”

How should one view life – but more purposefully – how should one view death? When Paul wrote about the resurrection and the implications that it holds for the follower of Jesus Christ, he indicated the following in I Corinthians 15:42-58 (NLT), “Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power. They are natural human bodies now, but when they are raised, they will be spiritual bodies…What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever. But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us…our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die…then at last the Scriptures will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?...we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” Consider these things with me.