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The Bible teaches that worldly wealth is temporary and that the most valuable thing a person should seek is eternal life by joining the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ).
MANY PEOPLE have a list of priorities in life. It includes those they hold most dear, important goals they wish to accomplish, or aspirations to achieve. Much of what is in such list are those that they believe can bring them convenience and comfort in life. To attain these, some will go the extra mile by pushing themselves to the limit, whether by studying for a good or promising career or by working hard to keep a stable job, accumulate money and property, and ensure peace and security for their loved ones and themselves.
However, are these the only things that people should strive for? Should they only aspire for comfort and peace in this life?
Why is it that despite a lofty stature a person attains in life, no matter how wealthy or comfortable he may feel, he should not focus only on attaining the things of this world? In Luke 21:11 and 27, this is what the Lord Jesus Christ foretold:
“There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky. … Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory.” (Contemporary English Version)
Peace and comfort here on earth are temporary because, as foretold, calamities, diseases, and other sufferings will befall mankind. At present, many people from different parts of the world are living witnesses to these “frightening things” that may strike them any moment. Even if there are people who may not be experiencing these things first-hand, yet they are filled with fear and anxiety upon learning what goes on in the world every day.
These are telltale signs that the coming of the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, is truly near and at the doors (Matt. 24:3, 33). That will be the Day of Judgment (II Pet. 3:7) when the heavens, and the earth and all that are in it, will be burned up (II Pet. 3:10) putting an end to all things. Thus, people should not be preoccupied only with attaining material things because these are only temporary for these will soon come to an end.
However, one may argue by saying that, “As long as I already have everything I need and want in this life, I will be at peace. I will not be affected by the troubles of this world.” Does material wealth define true peace and comfort in man’s life?
Is there anything more valuable than material wealth? Our Lord Jesus Christ answers this in Matthew 16:26, thus:
“What profit is there if you gain the whole world—and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?” (Living Bible)
What man must consider to be the most important to attain is eternal life. Nothing can be compared to it. No matter what a person has achieved in this life, even if he gains the entire world, it is all worthless if he is not assured of receiving eternal life. Where eternal life is, there are also true wealth, peace, and comfort.
So where does one have to go to attain eternal life? The Bible tells us that eternal life is in the Holy City or the new “heaven and earth.” It is there that God will “wipe every tear from [our] eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone” (Rev. 21:1−4 The Message). God’s assurance is that in the Holy City, there will be no more hardships and troubles in life. True peace and comfort—that is what eternal life will be in the Holy City that God has prepared. Shouldn’t everyone strive for this comfort? Shouldn’t this be everyone’s top priority in life?
How does one secure a place in the Holy City to enjoy the bliss of eternal life where true peace and comfort dwell? What must one do in order to be sure of receiving eternal life? The Savior Himself teaches:
“My own sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my care.” (John 10:27−28 Revised English Bible)
When the Lord Jesus Christ says, “I give them eternal life and they will never perish,” who is He referring to? He refers to His sheep who listen to His voice and follow Him.
Thus, it is not enough to merely believe in Christ for a person to be saved. Contrary to the wrong belief that just accepting Christ as personal savior is enough to be guaranteed eternal life, it is necessary for one who believes in Christ to fulfill what He teaches. Who have responded to the voice of the Savior and have followed Him and are recognized by Christ as His sheep? They are the ones who have entered the fold through Him:
“So Jesus spoke again: In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold. … I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …” (John 10:7, 9 reb)
Therefore, those who truly have followed Christ have entered the sheepfold or flock through Him. Which does the Bible refer to as Christ’s flock? The apostles taught:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)
The members of the true Church Of Christ are the ones whom Christ considers as His sheep that truly know and follow Him. They are the ones who truly believe in Christ because they have obeyed what He commands. Therefore, they will be the ones to attain the true peace and comfort in the Holy City. That is why Christ teaches that in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, obedience to God’s teachings is absolutely necessary (Matt. 7:21).
Even if many consider themselves to have attained a good life here on earth, it must be remembered that this world is but temporary. There is a life far better than this life, i.e. a life of everlasting peace and comfort. Do you want to have and enjoy that life? We need to strive to obey Christ’s command of entering the Church Of Christ. This should be number one on our list of priorities for us to be deemed worthy of receiving the most valuable thing—eternal life. ❑
