ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS

 

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Mark S. Camp. ThD

 

Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, tells us that God "has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (3:11).  God the Creator, by his gracious providence, has put within all men the ability to conceive of eternity, the ability to comprehend the everlasting, and the desire to be concerned about the future.  If you should think that this is not so, think about all the time you spend planning for retirement, a better job, or that certain "rainy day." Think of all the times you have wondered about the future.  Think of the times you have spent fretting over a coming exam, a pending operation, or an approaching lay-off at work.  Parents continually wonder what the future will be like for their children - what they will be, where they will live, and who they will marry.

 

God has made us to be curious people.  One man has said that God gives us that "eternal itch for tomorrow." He makes us curious about what is coming next in our lives.  We know that we had a beginning to our lives, but we are more concerned about what is yet to be.  Why?  Because God "has also set eternity in the hearts of men."

 

Why has God put this curiosity in our hearts about the future?  It is so that we will be concerned about our final destiny.  Man's pride may keep him from openly admitting it, but inside his heart of hearts man desires to know what his final destiny will be and what it will hold.  In the epistle of James, we are told that our life is but a vapor, a passing mist.  We are here today and gone tomorrow.  Yet eternity is forever.

 

Look back in your mind over the past.  See how quickly it has gone by?  Now the future seems far off, but it too will come and go.  There is an old saying that there is no such thing as tomorrow, for it is not yet; when it comes it will be today; when it is gone it will be yesterday.

 

What are your thoughts about eternity?  Do you wonder about what will be when you are laid to rest?  Eternity holds two alternatives.  For the person without God, there will be an eternity of alienation and separation from the Creator.  There will be misery and moaning in the regions of outer darkness.  But for the person who has God in his life, there will be an eternity of fellowship and enjoyment with the Creator, forever in his blessed presence.

 

How can you be sure about eternity?  First, recognize the fact that you are a created being who owes loyalty, love, and obedience to the Creator.  Realize that you are dependent upon the mercy of your Creator to sustain you each and every day of your life.  Secondly, realize that God is a holy and just God who must react when his creatures rebel against him and disobey his laws.  Thirdly, understand that the only way to be in a right relationship with God is to have him see you through Jesus Christ. There is nothing inherently good in you that merits the grace and favor of God.  You have sinned against him and your sins must be paid for.  Jesus Christ died on Calvary's cross to pay the penalty for sin.  But that payment is only credited to your behalf when you turn from your sins asking Christ to save you from the Creator's wrath and asking him to make you clean in God's sight.  Finally, submit your life to the Lordship of Christ and live a life of obedience to God's Word, the Bible.

 

God "has also set eternity in the hearts of men."  By coming to Christ you can satisfy your natural curiosity about eternity.  You can live knowing that when death knocks, your soul will be carried into eternity and you will dwell forever with the Creator. Think of the future my dear friend.  Where will you spend it?

It’s Not About Denominations

It’s About Jesus

 

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Mark S. Camp, ThD

 

People get so hung up on denominations.   When Christians meet each other, it is not enough to suffice to say that they are Christians.  They soon have to know which denomination the other person belongs to.  I have one question – “Do you think that Jesus really cares about which denomination you belong to?”

 

I am an Anglican.  Anglicans trace their heritage to the Christian church in the British Isles.  Some wrongly believe that Anglicanism began with Henry the VIII.  Anglicanism actually began in the early centuries when missionaries brought the Gospel to the area now known as England, Ireland, and Scotland.  Our roots are actually Celtic in origin.  Do you think Jesus cares whether or not I am an Anglican?

 

In our Anglican parish we celebrate Holy Communion at least weekly.  We believe the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present in Communion.  We also use the Book of Common Prayer as the basis for our liturgy or style of worship.  Do you think Jesus cares whether or not I am an Anglican?

 

What does Jesus care about?  I believe he cares about whether or not I am seeking to establish a close relationship with him through prayer, diligent study of the Scriptures, and whether or not I am living out what I profess to believe about him.  Am I a denomination player or a fruit bearer?  Am I truly striving to be like Christ or just trying to be what my denomination expects me to be?

 

We may as well face it folks.  We are going to be in heaven with all types of people, of all colors, of all cultures, and of all denominations.  There will be Baptists and Catholics; Eastern Orthodox and Pentecostals; Anglicans and Presbyterians; Nazarenes and Methodists; and the list could go on.

 

And you know what else?  There will be enough Anglicans, Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Assemblies of God, Holiness, Methodists, and non-denominational church goers in Hell to hold a Bible conference!!

 

What about you?  No denomination ever saved anyone.  Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners.  It was Jesus who died for us on Calvary’s cruel cross in order to redeem us.  It was Jesus who bore our sins in his body on the wood of the cross, suffered death, and then was raised on the third day so that we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins.

 

Jesus does not care about denomination membership.  Jesus cares for YOU and wants you to be his disciple.  He wants you to live a life that is pleasing to God the Father.  He wants you to display his life and love to others.  Will you do that?