Some Things No Man Knows …

Jarrod Jacobs

            America has been known for its many advances in knowledge and technology through the years. Certainly with access to the internet, we have access to more knowledge than previous generations. In spite of these facts, there are some things man does not know.

            For example, man does not know when Christ will return. Jesus said, “But concerning that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk. 13:32). Though man continues to make predictions about the Lord’s return, he has no idea when Christ will return! Folks have been predicting the return of the Lord almost since the time He ascended to His Father (Mk. 16:19)! No man knows when Christ will return. Our responsibility is to be ready for His return, whenever it may be (Mk. 16:16; I Cor. 15:58)!

            In addition to this, man does not know how long he will live. Solomon tells us not to boast of tomorrow (Prov. 27:1). We have no lease on life. Our life is a “vapor” at its longest (Jas. 4:14). Therefore, instead of living like you will never die, live as if today is all we have. Become a Christian before it is too late (II Cor. 6:2; Acts 22:16; Heb. 3:7-8).

            Yes, man has learned much while upon this earth. However, there are some “secret things” he will never know (Deut. 29:29). Because of this, let us be satisfied with what God has revealed to us (I Pet. 4:11). Let us be prepared for Christ's return while we have time and opportunity. Let us not squander the time we have upon this earth!

What If You Knew …?

Jarrod Jacobs

            What if you knew the day of your death? Suppose you could know. Would this change you? Would you be in denial that you would really leave this earth on a “set” day? I imagine some would be. Perhaps by knowing, some would spend the rest of their lives trying to extend their life just one more day. I imagine some would accept it and live their lives as if they didn’t know.

            But, would we change anything about our lives? Would we “straighten up” and live as the Bible says? Would we howl and cry against God, blaming Him for our death-day? I am positive that there would also be those who would procrastinate doing anything about their lives until the literal last minute!

            What if you knew ….. What would you do?

            No, we do not know the day of our death. All we can do is prepare. We don’t know if we will live another 10 minutes, 10 years, or 100 years (Prov. 27:1). Therefore, it is written, “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:7-8). Paul said, “Now is the accepted time ... now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2). How interesting it is to note the urgency with which the apostles preached and wrote. Perhaps part of their urgency stemmed from the fact that they did not know when they were going to die, either!

            All we know is that there is a day coming when we will either leave this world, or the Lord will return to judge the world (I Cor. 15:51-57; I Thess. 4:13-18). We do not know when the Lord is returning, any more than we know when we will die (Matt. 24:36). Sounds to me like we better be prepared for eternity, and do so without delay.

            What if you knew ….. What would you do?

Thought: “When the watchman on the wall can no longer recognize the enemy, the city is as good as lost!”

   God has always wanted His people to be watchmen (Isa. 62:6-7). Spiritually, His people today are to be watchmen in the church (Acts 20:31). The watchman is responsible for watching out for the enemy (Satan, I Pet. 5:8) and warning God’s people against his advances (Col. 1:28). Therefore, just as a city is lost when the watchmen fails in his job, so also the church is lost when the watchman is either too ignorant, or too rebellious to recognize Satan, and warn Christians of his devices (II Cor. 2:11).

- Jarrod Jacobs

Almost

Jarrod Jacobs

            The word “almost” is used several times in the Bible. Some of the times when this word is used include: 1) When the people were thirsty, Moses asked God, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (Ex. 17:4). 2) When Asaph was frustrated when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, he said: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled ...” (Ps. 73:2). 3) When Paul preached the gospel to Agrippa, he responded by saying, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). What does “almost” imply?

            The word “almost” implies failure. In the case of Moses being stoned, or Asaph stumbling, that is good that it “almost” happened, but did not come to pass. However, in the case of Agrippa, it is different. Agrippa failed to believe and obey God. Therefore, he failed to be saved from his sins (Mk. 16:16). This is a tragedy!

            Also, the word “almost” implies sadness. In the case of Agrippa, it was sad to think he was so close to being saved, but he refused, and we never read in the Bible where he repented and was saved.

            Friend, don’t let your family follow your casket to your grave knowing that you were “almost” saved from your sins! Don’t die with your family knowing you failed at this! Truly great sadness is the result for the family left behind when someone dies in sin. Christ said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). Please be more than “almost persuaded” but be “altogether” saved! (Acts 26:29) Become a Christian today!

Morality Alone Won’t Save You

Jarrod Jacobs

            Many have the mistaken idea that so long as one is a good person, then he is in a right relationship with God. This is not true. While morality and honest, clean living is acceptable with God, that alone will not save. One man who understood this was Cornelius. Acts 10 and 11 record his conversion to the Lord. We find him described as a “devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, … gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2). Was he saved? No, for an angel spoke to him in a vision telling him to send for Simon Peter, “who shall tell you what you must do” (Acts 10:6). Notice that the angel did not save him, nor tell him what to do. This angel merely got the sinner in contact with the preacher.

            When Peter arrived, among other things he told Cornelius “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). The Holy Spirit fell on them, not to save them, but to show that God had granted to the Gentiles “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:15-18). Peter, seeing these things, taught Cornelius and his household the truth and “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). Why be baptized? Let Peter answer. Peter said baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Morality alone will not save. Being saved requires one come to Christ in faith, repent of sins, confess Him before men and be buried with Him in baptism for the remission of sins. Perhaps this is something you need to do. Why not let us help you? Tomorrow may be too late (II Cor. 6:2).