Vol. 12 No. 8 – April, 2015

 

No One Can Take Your Place

(Story: Ask the Funeral Home)

Ben May

A lawyer phoned the governor’s mansion shortly after midnight. “I need to talk to the governor — it’s an emergency!” exclaimed the lawyer.

After some cajoling, the governor’s assistant agreed to wake him up. “So, what is it that’s so important that it can’t wait until morning?” grumbled the governor.

“Judge Pierson just died, and I want to take his place,” begged the attorney. “Well, it’s OK with me if it’s OK with the funeral home,” replied the governor.

As an aside, timing is everything, isn’t it? If you are wanting someone to do something for you then you need to use a little wisdom in knowing how and when to ask. The wise man said, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl 3:1)

 After the children of Israel made a golden calf to worship, claiming it was the god who brought them out of Egypt, Moses asked God to either forgive their sin or blot him out of the “book which you have written.” (Exodus 32:32)  The Lord was not at all interested in Moses’ offer because it would not be in keeping with His nature. God responded, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” (Exodus 32:33) Each one of us will individually stand before God to give an account for the life we have lived. No one can stand in for us nor can we ride in on the coat tails of anyone else. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

 And then finally, we each must live our own lives and face our own deaths. It is true that our lives do overlap, that “no man is an island,” and we have influence over others. But ultimately we each must make our own decisions and face the consequences, whether good or bad. The Bible calls that “reaping and sowing.” We will each “reap what we sow.” (Galatians 6:7,8) That same passage says that “each one will bear his own load.” (vs 5) Or as Paul said in Romans 14:4, “To his own master he stands or falls.” But always remember, that just as you must live your own life, you must face your own death. No one can answer for you. We will all die. We will all be judged. That is certain. (Heb 9:27) Jesus died so that the outcome of our judgment can be, “well done good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matt 25:23) The choice is yours and yours alone. No one can live life for you nor take your place at death.