A TALE OF REJECTION?

A TALE OF REJECTION?

Romans 1:16-18 [Paul wrote to the persecuted Christians in Rome.] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

2Corinthians 5:1-11 [Paul explained] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

  Awoke pondering several portions of Scripture and arrived at a question. To involve your consideration thereof I write the following illustrative tale using fictitious characters.

  Samuel and Sarah Smitt are faithful attendees at Beautiful Savior Bible Church. Sammy Jr., age 7, reluctantly goes with them. For the most part Junior finds it all a real drag with the exception of enjoying being the disruptive class clown. Around his 8^th birthday Sammy begins acting more mature and thoughtful. Though they can’t exactly explain it, his parents are thankful for his improved behavior.

  That summer they purchase an RV and join Happy Trails Campers Club.

  During a friendly evening around a group campfire one of the women asks Sammy what new things he’s done lately. Sammy boldly tells that at Sunday School last week he trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He leaves nothing out, including how like him and his parents they’re all sinners and if they don’t trust Jesus they’ll all go to hell forever far away from God.

  The campfire is momentarily a circle of silence . . . then Samuel and Sarah apologize and change the conversation to the topic commonly popular in the group, sports.

  As I lay abed considering Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 7:18-21 and Paul’s explanation in Romans 10:8-11 plus the generated illustrative tale above, I was left with question -- If Samuel and Sarah died that evening would they be absent from the body and present with the Lord?

  What do you think?  EBB4 (2/8/13)

Afterthought: Morning mattress meditations with my impaired hearing are a great blessing. I pray all you now-working folks will enjoy the same in your retirement.