15/10/2010 - PITIABLE LIVES

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If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (I Corinthians 15:19)

There are many people living a pitiable life – some are involved in the saddest mistakes, others are being carried away by the temptation of everything that holds them to the present time, and are not preparing for eternity. Christians who act like that are the most pitiable of all people because despite going to the Lord’s house they deceive, cheat and even commit crimes. Apparently they do not believe there is life after death.

What kind of conscience does a thief have? Such person does not have the decency to work in order to provide for his own livelihood and prefer to live on scams and swindles, eating and dressing at the expense of others. However, there is nothing more pleasant than obtaining, through honest means, what one needs for his subsistence. He who works feels the joy of obtaining the fruit of his effort, which is something the scoundrel will never experience.

What can be said of the unfaithful spouse? When all goes well, he or she does not realize that betraying his/her other half is something evil. If he/she were the victim of betrayal, he/she would certainly feel the most miserable person and would probably take drastic measures towards the cheater. However, when the one who cheated gets sick, for example, he/she expects his/her spouse to take care of him/her with love. There are also those who, dominated by the demon of betrayal, leave home to live with another person, but how can they be happy with someone who belongs to others? Whoever does this or accepts this situation shows a bad and evil character.

A dishonest salesperson, for example, adds an extra weight on the scale for the client to take only 900 grams out of the 1,000 grams for which he paid; he makes intentional wrong calculations in order to make an extra profit; he passes counterfeit money on or forges someone’s signature. My God! What kind of people is that who yield to the enemy, to the father of lies and the author of all sins? How can anyone smile, say nice words, even wishing a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter to someone he deceived or hurt?

Take the example of Judas, one of the 12 disciples of the Lord. He had no concern for the position he had achieved but rather, day after day, he would take money out of the box of offerings that were made to the Lord for the maintenance of His work (John 12:6). When the opportunity presented itself, he did not think twice: he went on and betrayed his Master. Later, full of remorse, he wanted to return the 30 pieces of silver for which he had betrayed Jesus. Later he hanged himself (Matthew 23:15; 27:3).

Beware! If you have yielded to temptation, go now to Christ and ask Him for forgiveness. Do not live in sin, because your loss will be eternal. It does not pay to exchange your happiness with Jesus for a handful of things or pleasures that pass away. It is worth being honest and holy.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares