Just a Passin’ Through
We sing the song, but do we live as though we believe it? “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up some-where beyond the blue;”. . . Are these just words of a song, or are they the guiding mantra of one truly looking for something beyond this life?
As we live here, we put a great deal of effort into the things of this life and to handle our responsibilities in this world. In Hebrews 11:13 we see the Spirit had the penman point out what was of greatest importance to those listed; those who are a part of the “honor roll of the faithful”. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:19-21, warned those listening to Him that man’s true treasure is not here on earth. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Then, in Acts 7:6-7 when the high priest had asked Stephen if the things of which he was accused of saying was true, part of the answer the Spirit gave Steven was: And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. He was speaking of Abraham, the Friend of God, whose descendants would live in Jerusalem and should have served God as though they would go to be with Him after this life.
However, not all the Jews of Jesus day were faithful to God. These who were descendants of Abraham, were also supposed to heed the Word of God and follow it. As children of God, they should have worshiped, served and lived as those who had “treasure” awaiting them and would strive to receive it. But as Jesus pointed out in John 8:41-44 those who don’t serve God are not the children of God. He said: Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
These to whom Jesus spoke were those under the O.T. Law of Moses and should have long been acquainted to the Word of God. The Words of Jesus are the Words of God as Jesus is God. Jesus came preaching the need for Israel to repent and prepare for the kingdom for which Jesus would die. Those who are part of that kingdom, the church of Christ, are also to be sojourners as we look for a home beyond this life. The Spirit had Paul write the brethren in Corinth to remind them of this fact in 1Corinthians 15:19 during this, the N.T. period of time. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. They, like we, were to be “passin’ through” this life while serving God faithfully in accordance to His Word.
Truth is, all humans are “just passin through”. We will all spend eternity somewhere. In John 5:28-29 Jesus Himself told those seeking to kill Him that there are only two places where souls will exist forever. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Each individual must make the choice for themselves. This is what the Spirit had Paul tell the brethren in Romans 6:16-17 as he wrote to the congregation of the Lord’s church that met in Rome. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
This is the key to being able to “pass through” this life and being able to make the preparation for eternity. In the latter part of John 10:10, Jesus also said: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. He paid the price. He purchased the church in His death and returned to His Father with His precious blood. Then He went to prepare a place for that eternity. He told His apostles this in John 14:2-3. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Where are you headed as you “pass through” this life? It’s your choice. Make the right one.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
