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The Bad, the Good and the Righteous

I want to take some time to reflect on another death of a well-known political leader—Muammar Qaddafi.

As I think about the strong and ruthless leaders of the past, I am struggling to remember their names. At the time of their reign on earth they symbolized the power and wealth that the world offers to those that put no restraint on their wickedness.

The father of all lies, Satan, still has the same temptations to offer the world that he offered to our Lord in the midst of His temptation in Matthew 4. Remember what he said to Jesus?

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” —Matthew 4:9

This was after he showed Jesus the glory of the world. Jesus said no—that He would worship the Father alone. However, men and women throughout history have said “Yes” to Satan’s offer and Satan delivers . . . but he delivers a lie.

Muammar Qaddafi thought that he had it all, and with this attitude he thought he was invincible to God and man. History plays this tune over and over again . . . and the words of Jesus ring out still today, “He who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword.”

Powerful people come and go, but Jesus said, “The meek will inherit the earth.” Lasting achievements for Christians involve losing our lives for Jesus’ sake, while eternal destruction is found for the Qaddafis of this world—those who follow the evil one who deceives the world and seeks only to gather as many people as possible to join him in the “lake of fire” for all eternity.

In closing, I want to say to the followers of Jesus to be careful in thinking that it’s just the super evil who are destined for the eternal wrath of God. The good person outside of Christ is destined for the same fate.

I beg you—please recognize that most of us will never have to experience the ruthless rage of a man like Qaddafi. We live in a great country that values life and the rule of law. But never forget that we are surrounded by “good people” that are trusting in their own “goodness” to make them acceptable to a holy and righteous God.  And these “good people” will end up in the same lake of fire as Qaddafi. Isaiah 64:6 says:

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

None of our moral actions bring us into the family of God. Let’s go and beg our “good, moral friends” to be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.

The following plea by the Spirit of God uses this word “beg.” Do you know why? Because the issues of life, death, and eternity are hugely important for those around us. Listen to Paul’s words:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

—2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Let’s follow Paul’s example. Let’s go and do whatever is necessary to share Christ’s redeeming love with those we care about . . . even beg if necessary.

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John Maisel, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of East-West Ministries International, resides in Dallas, Texas. He has authored books such as Is Jesus God? and Radical Trust that challenge all people to radically rely on Jesus Christ.

Buy John Maisel’s latest book: Radical Trust. All proceeds benefit East-West Ministries.

Fearing Death and Forgetting Eternity

I want to take this time to share today and focus on something that has been in the headlines the last couple of weeks—the death of Steve Jobs. Let’s take a look at a statement Steve Jobs made at Stanford University’s graduation a few years ago.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

Steve Jobs has been called the “secular prophet” of our generation. This title was given to him by Andy Crouch in an article in the Wall Street Journal. Crouch’s focus was on this genius—and he was—who gave birth to the iPod, iPad, iPhone, and the Mac and how he found meaning and purpose in this life even though he didn’t believe in life after death. It has been reported that he had a fear of dying—a normal fear for all who have no hope.

His religious beliefs centered around Buddhism, which ultimately ends up in “nothing-ism” or atheism. To a Buddhist, there is no life after death. As the secular prophet of our post-modern time, Steve Jobs was the hero of this particular belief system . . . the system that says this life is all you have and your contribution to society is the ultimate meaning in life.

It makes sense if there is no life after death that my worth can only be measured in how I advanced human society for “the good.” Certainly he did that in a unique way . . . but what is the point?

The Apostle Paul, a few days before he died said this:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. —2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paul had a very different view of this life and the after life than Steve did. For him, focusing on eternity determined how he lived while on earth. For him it made all the difference.

Listen to his confidence when he says, “There is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award to me. Not only to me, but also to all who have longed for him.”

Paul didn’t fear death. No—Paul’s heart was full of inexpressible joy because he used his life to make Jesus Christ real to the people he encountered. It gave his life meaning for his present day . . . but also for eternity.

Brothers and sisters—I challenge you to live boldly, courageously, and joyfully for the “hope of glory” that is found in Christ alone. I praise God for the “Thomas Edisons,” the “Albert Einsteins,” and the “Steve Jobs,” but the point of our lives is to point as many people as possible to Christ.

There is some reality to Steve Jobs’ statement that death determines everything that is important. For the Christian that is to be “all in,” no matter what, because our short, earthly lives and our gifts are to be used for the sake of the Lord’s name.

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John Maisel, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of East-West Ministries International, resides in Dallas, Texas. He has authored books such as Is Jesus God? and Radical Trust that challenge all people to radically rely on Jesus Christ.

Buy John Maisel’s latest book: Radical Trust. All proceeds benefit East-West Ministries.