#81 Home alone (26 mar 06)

'No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him....'
Psalm 49:8

Where our heart is, is where our 'gods' are.
Some worship objects of nature, be it the fiery volcanoes, the distant stars, or the down to heart trees or nature hewned rocks.
Others put a little more value added by putting a face or an arm or a leg to the object of their reverence.
Yet others prefer something living, be it an animal, another human or even themselves.

The vein running through all has always been a cause and effect relationship.
It is about sacrifice, self effort on our part, in exchange for man defined returns, be it wealth, health, stealth, and never be bereft of what the world and man hold dear.

'...no payment is ever enough that he should live forever and not see decay.'
Psalm 49:9

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbours as ourselves. Of course, unless you are the exception, most will want to go to Heaven, and pari passu for our neighbours.

Yet, it is often a thankless and unrewarding tasks to try to cut through the swathe of blindness encapsulating the hearts of our 'prospects' be it family, friends, or strangers.

'..though these three men, Noah, David, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 14:14-16

Truly, God gave all a free will to accept or reject His love and offer of salvation. Much as some of Christians might want to, we cannot be the proxy in faith and salvation on behalf of our loved ones.

'God our Saviour who want all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth'
1 Timothy 2:3

Yet, it is not a question of 'to each his own.' Rare is a person who will turn down an obvious good deal like 'joy and peace on earth, and eternal life in heaven.'
God will use the willing to showcase Himself, that truly even the blind will 'see Him' and have no reason not to want to know and love Him.

'Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord'
Lamentations 3:40

If we do not want to our family and loved ones to be left behind in eternal damnation, then truly, one must move from just knowing God to following God.
Our family is where our hearts are and it will be heart-rending to find that you are the only one coming home to God's kingdom alone.

God Blesses

Eng Hieang