To Be or Not to Be!
If there is one word in the Bible that may be selected as the theme of this great Book -- it is the word LIFE! The Master of Life, Himself -- declared that He came into this world that we "might have life -- & have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). He furthermore said: -- "I am the way, the truth, & the life" (John 14:6).
Let me ask you a very important question this morning: -- What is your attitude toward life? Your goals? -- Your dreams? -- Your ambitions? -- Your desires? What is your attitude toward life?
Human nature -- being what it is -- pretty much centers around three verbs: -- "to have" -- "to do" -- & "to be." The whole philosophy of your life is largely bound up in the verb which you put at the center of your life: -- "to have" -- "to do" -- or "to be." Three verbs -- but these three verbs are not of equal value! Jesus Christ clearly declared to us that "to be" -- is of far greater value than "to have" -- or "to do."
Some of the saddest words in the Bible -- & the happiest words in the Bible -- are found back to back -- in the opening chapter of John's Gospel. In the prelude (the introduction) -- to John's Gospel (in chapter 1) -- we are told some important truths about the Eternal Word -- that is about our Lord Jesus Christ. -- Jesus Christ is the Eternal Word! We are told that -- He was in the beginning with God. He is the Creator of all things. He was -- & is -- the Source of Life. -- He was the Source of Light. He is the Light which lights every man that comes into the world.
Follow with me in the reading of God's Holy Word this morning -- in John 1:1-14. -- I'm going to read more than I really need to read -- but these are such wonderful words that I want you to hear them. ”In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; & without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; & the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; & the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, & the world was made by Him, & the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, & His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become
the sons (the children) of God, even to them that believe on His name;
which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, & dwelt among us, (& we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace & truth." Wow! -- What great words; -- Words of truth & life! But look with me at the words found in John 1:11-12. The saddest words of the Bible are found in verse 11 -- "He came unto His own, & His own received Him not." But the happiest words found in the Bible are seen in verse 12 -- "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons (the children) of God -- even to them that believe on His name."
Now back to my question: -- What is your attitude toward life?
Is it "to have" -- "to do" -- or "to be"?
The whole philosophy of your life is largely bound up in the verb which you put at the center of your life: -- "to have" -- "to do" -- or "to be."
1. Let's Consider the Verb -- "To Have."
Oh, what a large & dominant place it occupies in life! Make a careful study of your activities & thoughts -- for a single day -- & see what a major place this verb -- "to have" -- occupies.
A large percentage of time & energy is spent in the acquisition of things! -- To have things ! -- To have this -- or to have that! We often say: -- "I just have to have that." If we are not careful -- our whole life is wrapped up in the getting of things; -- "to have." We think we have "to have" -- a nicer car -- a bigger & better home -- & all the extras!
For some people the goal of their life is to be a millionaire by age 30 -- a multimillionaire by 40! Most of us -- as far as I know -- have not come anywhere near that goal. We may not be millionaires -- & yet our lives are wrapped up & consumed by the desire for things; -- for wealth -- for more! If I could just win the lottery -- a sweepstake -- & be rich! Shame on us! -- Greed is at the very root of the lottery!
Oh, to what limits this verb -- "to have" -- has led men.
It led Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of soup.
It led David to stain his life with adultery & murder.
It led Judas to betray the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver.
And it has led some elected representatives to betray their sacred trust -- for money -- or for power! But the rich have discovered there is no real lasting happiness in money -- or in earthly things! -- Things do not ultimately satisfy!
A few years ago Jeannette & I where enjoying some relaxing time at the Lake of the Ozarks in
But it is not always money -- or things -- we have to have. Perhaps it is not money at all; -- maybe its power -- or prestige -- or influence. -- Greed expresses itself in various ways! It can be greed for money -- or greed for power & influence. Some people will sell their very soul & character to get what they want! The verb "to have" -- when uncontrolled -- leads to a majority of the sins & tragedies of life.
But after they get it all -- if they do not have Jesus in their lives -- they are without the one thing that is of greatest importance -- that is, peace with God! No amount of money will buy you salvation! -- No amount of money can purchase peace with God -- nor the forgiveness of sins.
There is the story of the fanatic in
That was the spontaneous expression of a man who possessed so much of the inward things of the spirit -- that it made little difference whether that world of things -- which could be held onto for only a brief time -- lasted or not! My friends -- the things of this world will never satisfy. "To have" -- is never enough. -- We must look for something else.
2. So Let's Consider the Verb -- "To Do."
The verb "to do" is of greater value than the verb "to have." Still -- there is no particular virtue in just doing something. One of the dangers of our age -- is the compulsion to be busy doing something; -- anything at all just to stay busy. The workaholic always feels he/she must be doing something.
The important question is not "are you busy?" -- but rather -- "what are you busy doing?" Where are our activities getting us -- in terms of God's will for us -- & for the good of humanity? Some people have done great things -- & they deserve to be honored for their achievements -- on the behalf of others. They have worked hard at their service to others. In many ways it is a shame not to be doing something when there is so much that needs to be done in this world. The world around us is crying for people who will respond to the call of service -- & volunteer to get involved in helping others. My friends -- Choose a worthy project -- & get involved! There is a big need for willing workers even here at church: -- helping clean up around the church property; -- helping with Operation Blessing; -- teaching in Sunday School. But choose wisely what you give your energies & time too.
But having said all that -- may I remind you -- there is no redeeming value in what we do! Good works -- as good as they may be -- & as important as they may be -- cannot in themselves save you -- & earn you a place in heaven! So many people are caught up in a "to do" kind of theology! They believe their reward of Heaven is based upon "what they do"; -- the more they "do" -- the greater their reward. In fact -- all the religions of the world -- except one -- have a common theme of "do good & reach God." The religion that does not fit into that category is Christianity! Christianity is completely different! Instead of that common theme of "do good & reach God" -- the theme of Christian faith is -- "God loves you -- & He gave His one & only Son -- so that whosoever believes on Him -- shall not perish, but have eternal life."
This is not mankind reaching up to God -- but just the opposite; -- God reaching down to man. God is reaching down in love to rescue us from our dilemma. That, my friend -- is really good news! -- Very good news!
In
By contrast -- Christianity begins with the Creator of heaven & earth -- reaching down to man. In His holiness He is beyond the highest mountain peak -- so far out of reach of sinful man -- that only He Himself could span the gulf. And that is exactly what He did! By the marvelous miracle of the incarnation -- God became flesh -- & offered Himself a sacrifice for our sins once & for all. Our part is to confess that we are sinners -- to renounce all efforts to earn our own salvation -- & to trust Him as our Savior!
Are you still climbing endless steps of self-effort -- through good works & deeds -- that lead nowhere? Why not take that one all-important step of faith in the Lord Jesus? That step is the one which leads to Heaven; -- for salvation is not something we achieve -- but something we receive! As many as receive Him -- to them gave He the power (the right) -- to become the children of God -- even to them that believe on His name!
3. That brings us to our third Verb -- "To Be."
The most vital verb for all mankind is the verb "to be." "To be or not to be" -- is the most important choice facing us today -- or any day. What we are -- what we become -- is of far greater significance than "what we have" -- or "what we do." What we are has not only value & worth as far as the quality of our lives here on earth -- but what we are has eternal value as well!
There is no question as to what God desires you & I to be! It is so clearly stated in our text: -- "as many as receive Him (God's Son) to them gave He the power (privilege -- right) to become the children of God."
My friends -- there is no greater honor in this life -- then "to be" Children of the All Mighty God! -- To know God as our Heavenly Father!
But there is one point I must make perfectly clear -- & that is -- God has no grandchildren! I thank God every day for the Christian home in which I was raised. My parents' faith was so very real & important to them! It certainly helped me to find my own way to Christ. But it could never become a substitute for a faith of my very own! There is no such thing as inherited Christianity! Every individual -- if you are to become a child of God -- must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ! -- & to make the decision to follow Him! -- For God has no grandchildren!
Our text says: -- "He came unto His own, & His own received Him not."
Oh, how sad; -- & what a fatal mistake! Oh -- the Cost of Rejection!
Why was He rejected? Perhaps for the same reasons some reject Him even today. People don't want to be told what to believe. People want to do their own thing -- their own way. Even today -- "His own" -- the church -- has often seemed to receive everyone but Him! They believe everyone else's word -- but His Word! Oh, my friends -- consider the cost of rejection!
The Bible says: -- "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; -- & he that believes not the Son shall not see life; -- but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).
But look also at the Reward of Receiving! The acceptance of Jesus Christ into our heart -- is followed by adoption into the family of God; -- we become the children of God!
Jesus Christ has paid the full penalty for our sin & guilt! We can commit our soul to Him -- & gladly say: "I'll let You, Lord Jesus, be my Savior." -- That's what it means to receive Him! Salvation is not just reciting a creed; -- it's receiving Christ! Salvation is offered to all! -- But to experience it -- & to benefit from all its rich & enjoyable blessings -- you must accept it! You must "receive" Jesus!
While Andrew Jackson was President of the
My friend -- it is much the same with God's offer of Salvation. Even though the Lord Jesus has provided redemption -- for everyone -- only those who accept His pardon actually benefit from the salvation He so freely offers! Until you personally trust Christ as your Savior -- you will never be free from the judgment of God upon sin. But Christ will always receive you -- if you will only believe on Him!
Conclusion: So what -- What is your attitude toward life? -- "to have" --
"to do" -- or "to be"? There are limits to what a person can possess of this world's goods. There are limits to what we can do in the short span of a lifetime. But there are no limits -- to what we can become through the love & the power of God!
What we have means nothing when it comes to getting into heaven. We cannot buy our way into heaven! What we do has little or no bearing on our entrance into heaven. We cannot earn our way into heaven! But what we are -- determines if we will go to heaven or hell!
It is tragic that someone can brush up against Jesus Christ -- & still refuse to accept His offer of salvation -- & therefore be lost for all eternity! But God created everyone with a free will -- to choose good & evil. The choice to decide for or against Christ's offer of forgiveness & eternal life -- is left with each individual person.
To refuse God's invitation means your eternal ruin! "But as many as receive Him" -- there is the wonderful promise -- that we will be given the privilege of being a child of God. Have you ever trusted the Lord Jesus Christ to save you? not -- right now say from your heart: -- "Lord Jesus, I will turn from my sin & receive You as my personal Savior." Those -- my friends -- are the most important words you'll ever say!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org