Are Mortals Immortal?

The proposition for this strange paradox is stated by Job in the fourteenth chapter of his book. The rhetorical question Job actually asked was, "If a man die shall he live again?" Of course, Job's inferred affirmative answer is obvious in the context.

Job in desperation, when all earthly hope collapsed and lay shattered in fragments at his feet, was speaking for all of us. He was speaking for those who in one moment of time have had their world turned upside down to come crashing down around them. He was speaking for those who have personally come face to face with the stark reality of that common denominator of all men, death. Who have realised that the eyes that once smiled have closed, the lips that once spoke have fallen into cold silence and the warm loving grasp of a vibrant hand has forever relaxed.

He was speaking for all men who, no matter how lightly they may treat the matter or how desperately they may try to circumvent or delay the issue, must someday stand on common ground as their heart ponders the same age-old questions, "Is there life after death? If a man dies, shall he really live again?"  The stark reality of man's mortality is made evident in the life of even the most sceptical. He cannot avert his eyes from the spectre of death that stalks his every step.' He cannot silence the voice that shatters his self-imposed naivete. The timeless question breaks loudly into the false sanctity of his consciousness with all the force of a wailing siren. "If a man dies, shall he live again'?

Job was willing to break out of the shell of self-deception. He was anxious to face the issue squarely. He dared to come to grips with the implications of man's mortal existence; no matter how painful an encounter with reality might be. He was ready to admit the hopelessness of man's dilemma unless an answer was supplied by some higher authority.  He could find no comfort in the evident fact that man is the dominant creature of creation. He was compelled to confess that man, with the ability to reason, to make order out of disorder, to accumulate and perpetuate physical and intellectual stores, was, on the surface of mortal existence, in no better state than the lower orders of creation. He said, "Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down".

Yet Job in his desperation sought a solution for the insoluble, His is not a scornful cry flung into the face of an inflexible fate. Nor is it the cry of a man who has slipped to the end of his rope of time, to grasp with trembling hands the knot of uncertainty at the end, as he swings suspended over the chasm of a dark unknown. But rather, in the context of his book, it is framed as an intelligent appeal, conceived in the heart of a Godly man of wisdom. A man who recognises the eternal being of God, the life-giver. His is a cry that recognises that the answer to life's central question can only come from the one from whom life issued.

Was Job, or are we, justified in holding that in spite of death we have a valid hope of immortality?

Some scoff at such a proposition as a ridiculous paradox. Some shudder at it as a dreadful possibility.

Some, not as wise as Job, turn to history outside God's word, and are lead only to the grave and left there. Because such history is mute concerning the matter. It neither confirms nor denies the prospect of an after-life.  Some turn to science but find no laboratory, no apparatus or no technique for analysing life or death or discovering the fate of a soul.  Some turn to philosophy and find themselves free to speculate, postulate, formulate and advance theories, but in the end find their hypotheses unreliable, for philosophy has no reliable means of testing its conclusions.

Some of us, as Job, turn to the Word of God to find there the only authoritative and satisfying answer. And we cherish this answer as an established hope. Our hearts vibrate within us as we echo his cry, "I know my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth ... and though my body be destroyed ... yet in my flesh shall I see God"!

The Greatest Fishing Trip

Having been reared close by the shores of the beautiful lakes in the hill country of the Tennessee River Valley, my earliest and most pleasant memories focus on fishing the sparkling streams and tranquil lakes of that region. In my experience there is nothing that can compare with the excitement and fulfilment of a successful fishing trip. 

  

I well remember those who taught me the rudiments of fishing. There were many valuable lessons to be learned; the importance of knowing the habits and habitat of the species being sought, the wisdom of knowing where and when to fish and the best bait to use, the motivation and commitment required to rise early or stay late and the need for patience and perseverance, were just a few of the vital elements necessary in the making of a fisherman. But perhaps above all else was a certain vision and sense involved in fishing. You had to believe-the fish were really there and would respond to the proper and diligent efforts of a dedicated fisherman.

I'm glad Jesus used the simply analogy of fishing to teach and illustrate the principles of soul winning, or fishing farmers. If there is one thing that is more exciting and fulfilling than fishing for fish, it is fishing for the souls of men. The first principle is the necessity to go fishing. It is not an Endeavour that can be successfully carried on by proxy or in theory. You can faithfully read all the books you wish on the subject and regularly monitor the travels of television fishermen, but you'll never catch a fish until you personally go fishing. Jesus did not say, "Sit and I will sit with you," but, "Go and I will go with you." Go is the operative word He used when urging His followers to personally become His witnesses and fishers of men.

It is true that Christians are sometimes more theoretical than practical in this matter of fishing for men. Many attend conferences and study the meaning and methodology of soul winning, but never seem to place their theory into practice. This would remind one of the story of the bait casting champion who had never caught a fish, but could accurately cast his bait into a small bucket from a great distance nearly every time!  But, of course, he never caught a fish there!

When Jesus said His disciples should launch out into the deep and cast their nets on the other side, He made the need for personal practical participation abundantly clear. If you are going to successfully fish for men you must go where the fish are. In this age of the so-called "couch potato," it is vital we realise that we cannot just dangle a bait in our lounge room, but must go out into the highways and byways of a world teeming with the souls of lost men and women. We must acquaint ourselves with the habits and habitats of those we seek. We must be  ready to rise early and stay late when required. We must equip ourselves to the best of our ability for the important task we face.

But, again, when all is said and done, we must get up and go fishing! Only then will we know the personal joy that faithful obedience to our Savior's. primary command can bring.  Only then can we experience the inexpressible thrill and overwhelming satisfaction of catch and preserving souls for all eternity!

My greatest personal fishing trip?  It was not the occasion when at the age of 15 I was involved in landing an eighty-five pound catfish in the turbulent waters below Wheeler Dam.  It was any one of the many times the Lord blessed me with souls as I went from door to door sharing the glorious message of His gospel during over 50 years of such labour!

There Are No Cheap Crosses

One of the most memorable experiences in my early life was the opportunity to travel to Old Mexico as part of a Missions Survey Class, under the leadership and tutelage of a great man of God and teacher, Dr. Paul Goodwin. Among those things that made a indelible impression was the stark contrast of the poverty of the people of that overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, and the extreme opulence of the established church. Great ornate cathedrals, richly bedecked and bejewelled with gold and silver and precious stones, graced even the poorest and humblest of villages. Further travels and the accounts of other travellers have confirmed that this is not an unusual phenomenon in such countries.

Set in the midst of all this pretentious opulence, was a plethora of crosses. They seemed to stare at you from shops, steeples, street corners and to be strung around the neck or wrist of every person you met. Crosses constructed of wood, plastic, metal or jewels were to be encountered among the most unlikely items in markets, street stalls and souvenir shops. If such is a measure of Christianity, one would be compelled to say missionaries were wasting their time there. But obviously such was, and is not, the case.

But when you really think about it, such misleading representations of true Christianity can be seen in some strange places and worn by equally unlikely people in our country today. Have you ever thought that some people who like to wear such crosses seem to personify everything else except real Christian committal? Notice if you will, the number of drug promoting rock stars, promiscuous Hollywood personalities, alcohol consuming sports heroes and pretentious politicians, who seem to have an curious affinity for such sad secular symbolism.

But what about crosses? Are we who know the Christ of the Cross supposed to wear them or bear them? Jesus commanded His followers to, "Take up the cross and follow me." And how many of us who profess to possess His salvation really do this? Perhaps we could consider what someone once had to say about the matter, "Have you seen the advertisement in a Christian Bookstore, 'Special, Crosses, Fifty Percent Off'? Too often we Christians shop for a discounted cross rather than take up His cross of self-denial. Some want a vinyl-padded cross that's not too heavy. Others look for a small, flat cross which can be put out of sight when they wish to practice secret discipleship. Still others look for a jewelled cross which can make them part of the fashionable in-crowd. But the cross of authentic discipleship is a plain, rough wooden cross that takes a lot of effort to carry. The type on which our Saviour was crucified. And this is the cross of discipleship which we as His followers are called to carry. But one important difference is that Jesus Himself has promised to stand with us and help us bear the load. He who said, 'Take up your cross,' also declared, 'My yoke is easy, and my burden is light'."