Life is So Short
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” —James 4:14
By David J. Stewart | September 5th 2006
I
was saddened to learn in the news today that
Steve Irwin, the 'Crocodile Hunter' died at age 44. Who was
Steve Irwin?
According to news reports, he was pierced through the heart by a deadly
stingray barb in Australia. I do not know if Steve Irwin was a Christian or
not. He certainly seemed like a very happy person all the time.
He loved animals and did much to help them. It is certainly ironic
that an animal pierced Steve through the heart, when he had given his heart to
animals for so long. I liked Mr. Irwin because
he chose to live on the Sunnyside of Life. It was always refreshing to
see his energy, and personality. Steve will be missed by many.
Yet, I can't help but wonder where he is in eternity at this moment. I get disgusted when I hear the lost world always saying that everyone goes to Heaven ... they don't. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8 proclaims, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is clear from the Bible that everyone doesn't go to Heaven. The Word of God states in NO uncertain terms that anyone who dies in their sins without Christ as Savior WILL go to Hell forever, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). Jude 1:7 reads, "...suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Hell has eternal fire. If you do not obey the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ's shed blood, then you WILL go to Hell to burn forever.
Respectfully, I do not know if Steve Irwin is in Heaven or Hell. I couldn't find anything in my research to indicate whether he was a Christian or not. I sure hope he is in Heaven; but I have my sincere doubts in lieu of Matthew 7:13-14 ... "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for the Truth of His Word that showed me the way which leadeth unto life--that Way, Truth, and Life is Jesus Christ, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." What a precious Savior!!!
"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." -Proverb 27:1
Here today...
Gone Tomorrow...
What will you do with Jesus? It matters not how much money you may have in this life. It matters not how popular you are. It matters not how many good deeds you did or how much charity you donated. It matters not how much you did for others. It matters not how religious you were or how many times you went to church. You can get baptized and confirmed all you want to; BUT, it won't help you get saved. Baptism won't help save you one bit. "Holy Communion" (a term not even found in the Bible) won't help you get to Heaven. Speaking in Tongues won't help you. Salvation is not found in a religion, but in a Divine Person--The Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus has already paid your ticket to heaven friend, by shedding His blood to pay for your sins and mine. All we must do is cease from our self-righteousness, and turn in faith to the Savior for forgiveness. Jesus has the nail-scared hands and feet; thus, why would we trust anyone else? We can only find salvation in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; 1st Corinthians 3:11).
Photo Right: A potentially deadly lion Fish
Life has it's thorns, just as does the beautiful dandelion plant (weed). It's a superb picture of life. Even though life can be beautiful at times, it surely has it's thorns and pains. As Steve Irwin well knew, the most beautiful creatures in the ocean are also some of the most dangerous to tough (such as the lion fish). I was snorkeling in the ocean and swam upon a lion fish. I think it was more afraid of me than I it; but I wasn't about to try to become friends with it. So beautiful, and yet deadly--just like sin. Ultimately, death is inevitable, because sin brings death upon all mankind (Romans 6:23). Life may be beautiful for some while upon the earth, but this world WILL soon pass away (1st John 2:15-17). All that will matter on the day you die is whether or not you died in your sins (John 8:24), or in the Lord (Revelation 14:13). Have you been born-again?
Please don't misunderstand. Charity is fine, and helping the less fortunate is a blessed thing. Helping animals is good. Helping the poor is Good. But none of that will merit your way into heaven. You need to have your sins forgiven and that can ONLY take place through Christ and His shed blood. You need to be born-again of the Spirit of Christ (John 3:3). You are a sinner, and Jesus is the Savior. You must believe upon Jesus as the Son of God to forgive your sins! The pope or priest cannot absolve or forgive your sins. Once your dead, no one can pray your way out of Hell (and there is no purgatory taught in the Bible). Now is the time to get saved!
"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." -2nd Corinthians 6:2
Simply
believe in your heart upon Christ (God the Son), confessing your sinful
condition. Admit to God that you are a sinner, deserving of Hell.
Ask Him to save your soul and forgive all your sins. That's it friend.
Keep in mind that you're not saved because of
any certain words or magical prayer you say. No, you're saved because you
believe (trust) upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13). You didn't go to the church or
to the pope, you went directly to the one who died upon the cross for your
sins--Jesus
Christ (John 10:9). Most of the world is going to Hell without Christ,
because they won't receive the love of the truth that they might be saved (2nd
Thessalonians 2:10). It is the precious blood of Jesus Christ that takes
our sins away...
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ..." -1st Peter 1:18-19
Steve Irwin had no idea yesterday, that he would be in eternity today. Out of all the dangerous creatures and man-eating crocodiles that Steve Irwin handled, it was a unexpected sting from the barb of a stingray that killed him. When Steve handled alligators, he knew exactly what to do to protect himself; however, this little stingray came out of nowhere by surprise, and death was imminent. It was Steve Irwin's appointed time to die, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." I can't help but tearfully wonder if he was ready to meet His Maker?
In youth I'm too happy
to think, I've got plenty of time left.
In manhood I'm too busy to think, I'm trying to make a lot of money.
In the prime of life I'm too anxious to think, worry has taken over.
When I start getting old, I'm too old to think—life's wasted, heart's got
harder.
Dying in bed—I'm too sick to think, I'm weak and suffering.
Death is too late to think—time's over and opportunity is lost.
In eternity—forever to think, I'm in Hell now with no mercy, and lost
forever.
