The importance of now - GBC Bulletin Column #50

Monday morning (5 May) I heard the sad news that an elderly gentleman who regularly attended Grace Baptist Church in Edlesborough (one of the church plants we have been heavily involved in) had passed away.  I had gotten to know Dennis over the several months that I led mid-week Bible studies in Edlesborough last year. I enjoyed talking to him about a variety of things, from his beloved Arsenal FC to gardening to current affairs to the gospel. I remember several times sitting with Dennis and the two other octogenarians I was serving in one of their sitting rooms after the Bible study as they reminisced about growing up during ‘the War’. The last time I saw Dennis was at the service giving thanks for the constitution of the church, and of the three elderly folk, although the oldest (at 86), he seemed physically to be the strongest. He was at Bible study again on Thursday before last. On Saturday his legs wouldn’t move and he reluctantly agreed to be taken to hospital. Around 2:00 am Monday morning, Dennis passed away.  

Tuesday afternoon I was at a funeral. This was the 'Heavenly Farewell Service' of Sae Jin Ra, a not quite 25 year-old Korean man I met earlier this year at the February Grace Baptist Partnership training day/Grace Baptist Church Wood Green anniversary service. I remember how I enjoyed talking with him about his desire to serve the Lord more in evangelism and preaching, and looked forward to seeing him again in the future. Sae passed away on Easter Sunday from a heart-attack and was found at home by his pastor a few days later.

I do not believe that death is the end of life – it is merely the end of life as we know it. Death is a part of life, and in a sense is necessary for the continuation of life:  ‘this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality’, as the apostle Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 15:53). There is no mystery about if a person will die, and for some even the question of how they will die, can be predicted with a fair amount of accuracy. When a person will die, however, remains in essence an unsolvable mystery that transcends our capabilities as finite human beings. The present moment, the here and now, is therefore not to be taken for granted.

Given the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the mystery of life's span, there are certain things that we must put in order now. Our relationship with God for example. Are we confident and completely assured that by God’s grace in Jesus Christ and according to our faith in him, we will righteously enter the presence of God with joy? Or rather do we fear a cowering presentation before a just God angry with sinners and their rebellious life? Trust in Christ now. Know his salvation and assurance now. How about our walk with God? Is it in step with our profession of faith? Or our life before men for that matter – is it outwardly showing people an inner hope that comes only from Christ? Refocus on the gospel now. Be overcome with grateful love for God and Christ-focussed love for man now. Now is important. For all you know, it might be all you have left. 

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) on 11 May 2014.