In church gatherings, there is a common saying which I often hear. It goes like this…
"Lord I thank You for sparing my life till today. It's not by my might. It's not by my power. It's just by Your grace and mercy. There are many who would have loved to see today, but they are no more. It's not that I am better than them. It's not that I am more righteous than them. It's not that I am more faithful and obedient than them. It's not that I can pray and study the word than them. It's not that I love God more than them. It's just by Your sovereign act of kindness toward me.
Hmm… what a confession! But don't get carried away with that…
Whose fault?
First, I appreciate this kind of Christian because he certainly has learnt and adopted the heart of gratitude. It's good to be thankful. It is a good thing to give thanks… (Psalms 92:1)However, he has refused to iron out carefully the basis for being alive. "not by might, not by my power, not my faithfulness, not because I love God…", but by what?
He says "it's just by God's love". Oh! That must mean God hates those ones that have died? (Well, one of these days you will see that God hates even you, because you will soon join them.)
"It's just for God's grace", but is God partial about His grace? "For the GRACE of God our Saviour hath appeared to ALL MEN" (Titus 2:11)
So did the good Father keep back His mercy from others that didn't live?
Grow and Take Responsibility
God help us to grow to the level that we no more see the less-privileged amongst us as God's fault, rather as our negligence of duty. We have a duty to heal every sick around us as our Lord Jesus showed us a pattern to follow and not to look up and thank God that we are not like that.Isn't it worthy to note how Jesus frowned at His disciples' inability to heal the sick?
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. (Luke 9:41) Also Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19
We are not to say "it's not that I am mocking them, but I am glorifying Your name, Lord, for sparing my life". Excuse me. How does having sick people around you glorify the name of the Lord? What if that were you, would you have loved that the healthy around you look on you and thank God for their lives? Don't see the sick and walk away in thanksgiving.
The disciples saw a man with convulsion, and they didn't walk away to thank Jesus for not letting their own case worsen as that. Instead they prayed for that boy, and when they couldn't, they asked Jesus why they couldn't, not thank Him. And later on in the journey, they became someone who will see a lame man at the beautiful gate and be an extension of God's loving hands to heal him…
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and PRAISING GOD. (Acts 3:6-8)
God didn't give you to enjoy health to thank Him, at the detriment and ridicule of those who do not. God wants them healed too. That is when both of you will rejoice and praise God together.
God wished those who wished to be alive but are unfortunately not, to be alive. God did not deny anyone of His mercy because it is abundant and so long that it reaches to the heavens, so far that it lasts for ever.
For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] EVERLASTING; and his truth [endureth] to all generations. (Psalms 100:5)
O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] FOR EVER. (Psalms 107:1)
Today, being alive is one of our redemption rights. It is an inheritance of the new creation. A believer shouldn't count Himself "lucky" to be alive. But how did that right came? By works? No! It came by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2Timothy 1:10). Now it is yours to be alive! Don't begin to think the days remaining in the month, you might die by accident or whatever sort. You are alive not by resting in your strength, but His grace. And you know, Grace is as sure as God the Giver of it. Mercy of God is sure! Lean on it!
I will give you THE SURE MERCIES of David. (Acts 13:34)
That we may boldly say, "SURELY goodness and MERCY shall follow me all the days of my life" (Psalms 23:6)This is what I'm saying. Being alive is by Grace. Yes! But grace is not one erratic, epileptic supply. Grace can be vouched for. Mercy of God can be trusted! The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that HOPE IN HIS MERCY (Psalms 147:11). See this illustration.
Your father settles all your school fees without any more debt. Later, you will hear some of your teachers tell you, "well, you are only lucky to be taught in class. We teachers who have come to teach you should be thanked. As for the teachers who did not teach you, there is nothing you can do about it".
Will you agree with that report? Grace or privilege is to have a good and rich father who could settle your school fees and all your bills freely. But after grace has been given by meeting your school demands, whoever stops you from being taught is committing an offence punishable under the law. After grace has been given freely, it becomes a right! Not to the Giver, but in its reception. But the teacher may again say (as most Christians will say today), "there are many who even though they got their school bills paid and wished they were taught, but did not have that opportunity". Should those who did not exercise their right stop you from exercising yours? If many other "good" and "sincere" Christians have died without enjoying divine health, should that make you count yourself lucky to be alive?
Thus, it is not "opportunity" to be alive: it is a right! Right not as though we merited it: it was purchased for us by the blood of Him that loved us and gave Himself for us. Now nothing should make us retire to the seats and start to confess things like: "well Lord, if you say it's time to die, who am I to stop You?", "if I see tomorrow, good. If not, okay", "if I am alive…", "Lord, I don't expect that I should live still…" you have a right to live! Every saint has a right to live! Tell that dying saint to live, and he will do.
Man's death is not a working of God! Instead, God's working is "with long life will I SATISFY him" (Psalms 91:16). Thus until you are satisfied, God isn't. With God is eternal life! (John 17:3) With God is immortality. (2Timothy 1:10) With God is health! "…for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26). You are not programmed or destined to die young, except you choose to. Praise God for evermore!
Don't forget to share this article with someone.
