Glass Half Empty? Or Glass Half Full?
One’s outlook on life depends on whether or not one is an optimist or a pessimist. One who is a pessimist is: one who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. These are those who are negative and see a glass as half empty. Such a person is likely to be depressed, gloomy, distrustful, and overcome with hopelessness. Does not the Christian have hope in Christ? Can one claiming to be a faithful Christian be a pessimist? Methinks not!
While it is true that ‘bad things’ happen to good people, this is not to determine how one looks at life. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, made it clear that God’s Providence is richly distributed to all that have lived, or that will live on this earth. In Matt. 5:45b, Jesus said: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Even before this, in Eccl. 9:11, the Spirit had Solomon tell that “life happens”. He wrote: I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Therefore, we must all understand that it’s not what “happens to us”, but “how we handle it” that determines our outlook in life.
When you think about it, those who refuse to follow God and His Word have every reason to be pessimistic. For what are they living? When this life is over for them, all they have to look forward to is an eternity of pain and suffering. Many doubt or deny this. But how can one doubt the Words of Christ in Matt. 9:43b-44 where He describes the ‘horrors’ of Hell? He warned those of His day of going “into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Christ wants all to live this life in such a way (in accordance to His Word) so they can be optimistic toward eternity.
All of this was made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ from the dead. Think about it; would there be any reason to be optimistic had Christ not died to purchase the church? In 1Cor. 15:19, the Spirit had Paul write: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”. The Spirit also had Paul pen the optimistic Words of Eph. 1:3 which should warm the heart of every faithful Christian. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Only those who are “in Christ”, having obeyed the gospel and remain faithful, have these “spiritual blessings” and have reason to be optimistic.
To be optimistic is to be: hopeful and confident about the future. When one is “in Christ”, they have every reason to be optimistic. This is taught in Eph. 2:12, where previous to the death of Christ and their obedience to the gospel, these folks were described as “having no hope, and without God in the world:”. But, in verse 13, they’re reminded that following their conversion, they had every reason to see the glass as “half full”. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. I say “half full”, because until we are “faithful until death” we have not “made it”, and there still exists the possibility of falling because of sin.
So that we might continue to see the way, God has provided His Holy Word. Below are the words of an unknown author regarding the Bible. This is something every Christian should read regularly so we continue to be optimistic as we traverse this life and look forward to the one beyond.
THIS BOOK CONTAINS - - The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, doom of sinners, and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened up, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its Holy contents.
The outlook of the Christian should always be optimistic. Sure, we’re going to have difficult times, hardships and maybe even be persecuted. But this can only last a brief time because whether they end in our death or when the Lord returns, the faithful Christian has hope for the future. Titus 2:11-13 tells us that the “grace of God” has appeared to all, as Christ came, God’s Word was sent, and the “teaching” is available that we might prepare ourselves for eternity as we look for the second coming of Christ.
Why not look into God’s Word, obey it, and “lay hold on the hope set before us” as Heb. 6:18 directs? Then you can be optimistic about eternity.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
