OceanSide church of Christ

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MAKE YOUR LIFE SIGNIFICANT

Victor M. Eskew

 

          All who are living upon the earth at this time are moving at rapid pace toward eternity.  This writer has lived well over half his life and his childhood seems like it was yesterday.  The end will come soon.  Breathing will cease.  The heart will quit beating.  The eyes will close in the sleep of death.  All that will matter at that time will be “how” I lived.  This thought causes me to desire to make like significant.

          The word “significant” is defined as “important,” “of consequence,” and “having or expressing meaning.”  It might seem that it would be difficult for every man, woman, and child living on our planet today to live a life of consequence.  How can over seven billion people live their lives in such a way as to be important?  Isn’t a place of significance reserved only for the few?  For the rich?  For the powerful?  Absolutely not!  All can live lives that are meaningful.

          The first way to live a life of meaning to by becoming a child of the living God.  There is only one, divine, Supreme Being.  In Isaiah 45:5, we read:  “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me…”  This God is the Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1; Exo. 20:11).  He upholds all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3).  He is the “governor among the nations” (Ps. 22:28).  He is the redeemer of mankind (Ps. 78:35).  He, too, is the Judge of all the earth (Gen. 18:25).  This mighty God has made it possible for sinful humanity to become His children.  How can an individual who is a child of the God heaven ever believe that he is insignificant?

          God has revealed how to become His child in the pages of the Word of God.  The process begins with faith.  “For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26).  This faith will cause one to submit to the new birth (John 3:3-5).  It is by being born again that one becomes a child of God.  Jesus reveals that the new birth involves being born of water and of the Spirit.  Man has fabricated his own interpretation of these two elements.  Scripture, however, casts divine light upon each of them.  Peter elaborates upon being born of the Spirit in I Peter 1:22-23.  “Seeing ye purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeign love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word God, which liveth and abideth forever.”  Being born of the Spirit is a simple step.  It involves a person’s being obedient to the Word of God that has been revealed by the Holy Spirit.  Being born of water is also defined in Holy Writ.  It happens when one is baptized, immersed, into Jesus Christ.  The old man of sin is buried in the waters of baptism, and the individual rises to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4).  Having been immersed into Christ (Gal. 3:27), he has become a “new creature” (II Cor. 5:17).

          Once one has become a child of God, he can increase his significance by making himself a servant to others.  In essence, the way up is achieved by bending low.  Jesus taught this lesson to His disciples during His earthly ministry.  “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28).

          One who serves others comes into contact with the lives of many.  The one who serves performs tasks that assist others.  The one who serves others alleviates the burdens of others and makes their life easier.  The servant’s life is not one that is easily forgotten by others.  When the earthly servant’s sojourn on earth is complete, those whom he served remember the service rendered and regret that the diligent servant is no longer performing his tasks.  It is in the hour of departure that the servant’s life is truly revealed to be significant.  In Acts 9, we read about a diligent servant who had died.  Her name was Tabitha, better known as Docas.  Her life had significance.  She had made an impact on others.  When Peter went into the upper chamber where Dorcas’ lifeless body was laid “all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:39).

          A third way to make life significant is by teaching others the gospel of Christ.  The majority of the human race is heading to eternal condemnation, lost in their sins.  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10-12).  The message of the gospel is the only thing that can turn their souls from destruction (Rom. 1:16-17).  Those who take the message of salvation in Christ to the lost are significant.  God reveals this by putting a honorably recognizing those who so do.  “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Rom. 10:15).  It is difficult for us to imagine the true significance of saving a soul from death in a devil’s hell.  Its significance will be truly felt when the Lord comes in His glory.  Those whom we have converted will be our glory and joy.  Paul knew this and wrote about it to his converts in Thessalonica.  “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are his glory and joy” (I Thess. 2:19-20).

          Dear readers, we exhort you to make your life significant.  Become a child of God.  Paul assures us that God knows all those who are His (II Tim. 2:19).  Once you have become God’s child, serve others.  Gird yourself and assist those in need.  You service will not go unnoticed.  The wise and faithful steward will be made a ruler (Luke 12:42-44).  In addition, become a teacher of the truth.  Teach others and turn them from the path of destruction to the path of life.  Eternity will reveal the significance that you have make in the lives of these individuals.  Each one of us can do these three things.  Many of you have already done the first.  If you have, commit yourself service and teaching.  Make your life significant!