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A Proper Attitude Towards Time
by Chris Simmons
Someone has once said, “time is what life is made of.” What we do with our time has much to do with defining who we are and what our character is. What we do with our time also has everything to do with our eternal destiny. We need to have a proper attitude towards time as defined by the scriptures.
There is great value in spending our time wisely. Time well-spent can enable one to grow – and such is God’s intention. We reflect on the admonition in Hebrews 5:12-14 to those who had not grown “by reason of time” rather than using the passing of time as an opportunity to “have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” There is great value in time when we need to make things right before God. Peter writes to those, who suppose that since much time has passed and that “all continues” just as it always has, that God’s promise of judgment and the second coming are without merit or credibility. Rather than viewing the passing of time as an occasion to pursue the lusts of the flesh, Peter instructs us to view God’s patience, and the time He has granted to us, as the opportunity we need to “repent” and to take advantage of the “salvation” that’s offered in Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:4,9,15). Such opportunities will not always exist. Yesterday is gone forever. We must take advantage of today, “as long as it is still called today” (cf. Hebrews 3:12-15).
We must recognize and appreciate the brevity of life and the uncertainty of time. David wrote in Psalms 90:10-12, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” David also writes in Psalms 39:4, “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the extent of my days, let me know how transient I am.” James refers to the time of our lives to be but a “vapor” (James 4:14). With an understanding of the preciousness of our time, we must learn to treat it as a very valuable resource – one to be spent very wisely. It is therefore appropriate that we use the phrase “spend(ing) our time” for time is as valuable as any monetary resource. Indeed, as we also say, “time is money.” Paul addresses how we “redeem” (or “buy back”) our time in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” We are not to be boastful about an uncertain future (James 4:12-14) but make the most of today.
As Christians, we must exercise self-control over the various demands for our time. If we do not take control over how we spend our time, Satan will. The scriptures speak of the need for us to spend time working to provide for the needs of our families (Ephesians 4:28; II Thessalonians 3:10; I Timothy 5:8). Our ability to comply with the command to “bring up” our children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) also takes time (perhaps more than what we are currently devoting). Time is needed for secular education and there is even a place for time in our lives for rest, relaxation and recreation. In Mark 6:31-32 we read of Jesus encouraging the disciples to take advantage of some time to “rest a while” and enjoy some solitude. We also read the words of Solomon for the “young” to “follow the impulses of your heart” and to enjoy those activities which are good and pleasant and approved in the eyes of God (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Above all else, we need time to devote to the spiritual side of life. It takes time to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) and to not forsake opportunities to assemble with the brethren (Hebrews 10:25). It takes time to study God’s word and to be “diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). It takes time to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58) and to be “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). It takes time to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
We must always beware of the continual temptation to allow the time we are given each day to be dominated by our rest and recreational pursuits and the time to “build larger barns” (Luke 12:18). Many demands on our time are not sinful in and of themselves but they prevent us from spending the time on the most important things in life. It was not sinful for Martha to attend to the domestic “preparations” associated with having guests in her house. But when compared to Mary’s decision to use her time to listen and learn from the Lord, we see that she should have chosen to spend her time differently (Luke 10:38-42). There is a direct application of Matthew 6:33 to the use of our time in the Lord’s command to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” The application is, that if we set aside time for work, recreation, pleasure and personal pursuits first and then give God the time that is simply left over after everything else, then we are not seeking God first. Our time needs to be prioritized with our spiritual needs coming first. As it has been said before many times, if we are too busy to serve the Lord and attend to our own spiritual needs, then we are simply too busy.
May we prayerfully choose and plan our time as God would have us to since our eternal destiny is certainly depending on it.
“All Denominations Will Be United In Christ In Heaven”
by Eugene Britnell
(Editors note: The above statement was made by Billy Graham in a question - answer article. Read the comments following Billy Graham’s answer.)
Dear Dr. Graham: Will there be different religious denominations in heaven? I have a friend who is a loyal member of his denomination, and he claims they alone have the real truth about God and everyone else is wrong. Could he be right? Z.L.
Dear Z.L.: No, there won't be any denominations in heaven. There we will all be united together in Christ, redeemed by him "from every tribe and Language and people and nation" Revelation 5:9). All the things that divide us now will be swept away.
I appreciate your friend's loyalty to his own denomination. God is not limited to any one denomination or group, nor is any one group right while everyone else is wrong.
I have met men and women who loved Christ from a multitude of different backgrounds across the world, and I am grateful for the spiritual oneness we have in spite of our differences.
There may be a deeper issue behind your friend's attitude.
The real question is: How are we saved? Are we saved just because we belong to one particular church or group? Or are we saved because of our good works and our religious acts?
The answer to both questions is "No" and the reason is because only Christ can save us. He alone died on the cross to take away our sins, and he alone has opened the door to heaven.
Is your trust in him? Don't let anything become a substitute for Christ, for "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12).
Mr. Graham, at age 88 and in poor health, is near the end of his ministry. He has been called "the evangelist" and has preached to untold millions of people in person and by radio and television. In many ways he has had a positive influence in integrity, patriotism and morality.
After all his years of Bible study, he has never learned what the church is nor God's plan of salvation for our time. If so, he has not said anything about it.
Let's begin our review of his answer with a statement from Jesus Christ when He prayed that the Father's will be done "in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). It is true that there will be no denominations in heaven and there should be none on earth. They were made by men, and Jesus said that all such will be rooted up (Matt.15:13). We need unity here and unity in heaven.
What does the New Testament teach concerning God's will for unity on earth? Jesus said, "I will build my church" and He built only one (Matthew 16:18). He prayed that all true believers be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). The apostle Paul commanded that we all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions(denominations) among us (I Corinthians 1:10). He also told us to walk by the same rule (Philippians 3:16). When we do that we will believe and teach "the unity of the Spirit" consisting of one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one body and one hope (Ephesians 4:3-6). How can anybody find denominations in these Scriptures?
Again, we say there won't be any denominations in heaven and there should not be on earth! The only people who will be united in heaven are those who are united in matters of faith while on the earth. That's the truth!
Billy asked, "How are we saved?" Good question, but he has never given the Bible answer to that question. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). On Pentecost, the inspired apostles told believers to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Christ for (unto ASV) the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Has anybody ever heard Billy Graham preach that? He says put your "trust in him"--believe only, apart from any overt acts of obedience. The Bible says that kind of "trust" is vain and dead and will not save anybody (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; John 14:15; James 2:14-26). Please read all of those verses.
Billy said that salvation is found only in Christ and by no other name (Acts 4:12). That is exactly right; salvation is IN Christ and His name (2 Tim. 2:10). But how does one get INTO Christ? Can one believe into Christ? No, that's impossible. The Bible says that penitent believers are "baptized into Christ" (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27). That is a burial in water as John, Jesus and the apostles taught and practiced (Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:4-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 19:2-5).
Again we say, there will be no denominations in heaven and the only responsible individuals who will be there will be those who have believed, repented, confessed Christ, been baptized for the remission of sins, added to the church of Christ by Him who is the Savior of the body and remained faithful until death (Acts 2; Ephesians 5). (From THE SOWER, January/February 2003)