Beyond Tomorrow

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) Feb 2008

THERE IS NO DENYING that the future comes one day at a time in a seemingly unending fashion. This is the reason why there are people who find luxury in dillydallying or in tarrying a while. “There is no need to hurry. Tomorrow is sure to come whether one expects it or not.” Because of this, there are those who believe their future is already determined, hence, the idea that if they are fated to become successful or otherwise, no one – not even they – can do anything about it anymore. Thus, the tendency not to seek advice or guidance anymore.

But the future neither pertains only to the coming of another day or the morning after a long-night wait and the events that go with it, nor is it only in reference to how one’s life turns out. For Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ members, God’s people in these last days, the future is truly more than the advent of a new day or of reckoning success or failure in this life. It is beyond the morrow and the preoccupations for this life. Acknowledging their limited faculties, even the learned among Iglesia ni Cristo members cannot and will not brag about carving a truly bright future on their own. Rather, they would look up to God for counsel and understanding. Precisely, for their faith tells them that the greatest wisdom can only come from the Father Almighty. And that His counsel is the ultimate guide in making wise decisions or choices in life.

The value of godly wisdom
In Proverbs 23:23-25, this is written, thus:

“Truth, wisdom, learning and good sense – these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell. A righteous man’s father has good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise son. Let your father and mother be proud of you; give your mother that happiness.” (Today’s English Version)

All are admonished to value truth, wisdom, learning, and a good sense – values or virutues that parents who are entrusted with the divine task of looking after their children’s welfare ought to inculcate in their minds and hearts. In return, children are advised to heed them. They owe it to God to give their parents a sense of personal pride and joy.

True enough, but the irony of the matter is that a lot are unmindful of this divine mandate. There are those who would rather believe in what they call luck or a chance encounter with opportunity. Hence, it is common to hear people say they are waiting for opportunity to come knocking at their doors. But the thing is: opportunity does not knock at anyone’s door. Man himself needs to go out through the door of his home and look for opportunity wherever it may be lurking. But should one find or see a display of opportunities free for the taking, must he readily grab any or all of them for that matter? What does the Bible, the repository of God’s words, say?

Choose what God offers
The book of Deuteronomy records, thus:

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” (Deut. 30:19, New King James Version)

God Himself is the first one to give man the opportunity for a good future. Not only did He teach the latter how to wisely choose his future, but He also warned him against the evil consequence of making the wrong choice. Basing on God’s counsel, there is no reason man could make the wrong choice, for although two options were laid before man, God wanted him to choose life so he and his descendants may live. Therefore, the wise manner of choosing one’s future is by choosing what God offers.

On the other hand, knowing what will happen should one opt for the opposite of what God is offering, Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians, thus:

“Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s tricks.” (Eph. 6:11, TEV)

Man should stand up against the devil’s tricks. Man should be discerning enough to realize that God’s adversary, the devil, has nothing but man’s destruction in his mind. The devil wants to deprive mankind of a good fortune or future. And what could be a better future than receiving salvation? But the devil does not want man to be saved.

The first to be deceived
Who were the first ones to be deceived by the devil? How and why was the devil able to deceive them? Genesis 3:1-6, narrates thus:

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die”’. ‘Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”’. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (NKJV)

Adam and Eve, were the devil’s first victims. The devil was able to deceive them because they were swayed by his cunning. They opted for the seemingly desirable offer of the devil whose sole purpose was to destroy their future, instead of what was being offered by God who was genuinely concerned about their future.

The fatal consequence
To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception, in pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it ‘: ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’… therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.” (Gen. 3:16-19, 23, NKJV)

Such were the evil consequences suffered by the first couple for their disobedience to God. They failed to make the right or the wise choice. For similar reason, God’s anger was aroused against the Israelites, His nation of old, thus:

“Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?” (Deut. 31:17, Ibid.)

The Bible is replete with accounts on how the Israelites kept on transgressing God’s commandments, incurring His wrath in the process, and causing them to be abandoned or forsaken by Him. Hence, like Adam and Eve, the ancient nation of Israel failed to choose wisely for their future.

Holding on to God’s words
Whose example then should God’s servants in these last days emulate? In Matthew 4:3-4, 8-10, this is recorded, thus:

“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve’.” (Ibid.)

The devil tempted Christ immediately after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights. As Christ was hungry, he offered Him bread or food. But Christ did not fall for the devil’s wiles. He held on firmly to God’s words. Furthermore, worldly fortune and glory, dangled before Christ’s eyes, failed to shake His resolve to worship and serve only the Lord God as written in the Holy Scriptures long before Christ was even born. And because of His obedience, Christ was exalted by God (Phil. 2:9-11).

Obeying what Christ tells us to choose
As in the dawn of human history and during the time of the Israelites people in the Christian Era are commanded by God through Christ to make a choice, thus:

“Go into the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14, TEV)

Again there is no reason that man should err in choosing, for although Christ laid down two choices, He specified the way leading to life and salvation. Christ is the way to life (John 14:6, NKJV). He is the door of the fold and to salvation (John 10:9 Revised English Bible). The fold or flock is the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). Membership in the Church of Christ then has a great bearing on one’s attainment of man’s brightest future. Indeed, for there could not be any brighter future than the salvation of one’s soul. This is the future that is beyond the time frame called tomorrow, or the day following the retreating heels of another. Or that which is reckoned in terms of one’s achievements on earth.

The importance of the Church of Christ in the attainment of the brightest future or of salvation can never be overstated. It is predicated on Christ’s mission on earth (Heb. 2:14) and was further proved by the Savior Himself with His promise that “not even death will ever be able to overcome it” (Matt. 16:18, TEV).

Taking firm hold of instruction
Much is at stake. Salvation is too precious to lose. God’s people, members of the Church of Christ in these last days, should take firm hold of God’s counsel to uphold their wise choice, thus:

“I have taught you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in the right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” (Prov. 4:11-13, NKJV)

Moreover, God wants His servants to shun evil, thus:

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Prov. 4:14-15, Ibid.)

Although God gave man the freedom to choose, He also prescribed the way so that the latter can be sure of earning His blessings, hence, a bright future. Loving God and obeying His commandments will ensure us a place in the Holy City.

Trusting God wholeheartedly
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.” (Prov. 3:5, 1, 4, New Living Translation)

A timely admonition! God’s people should remain steadfast in their faith. We should never doubt what God can do. With Him at our side and as our guide, we cannot fail. As His servants, we ought to be able to proclaim like the Psalmist, thus:

“Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young. I have relied on you all my life; you have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you.” )Ps. 71:5-6, TEV)

With God’s continued guidance, the attainment of a truly bright future – beyond tomorrow – cannot be far ahead.