Life Is Good!

Celebrations can be great fun. I know that most of us today are celebrating the founding of our country. July 4, 1776, is one of the greatest days in man’s history in my opinion. The best one was the day Jesus came out of the tomb and guaranteed victory for all who believe in Him! The second-best day of celebration for me was the day in the spring of 1971 that I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I must say it took several decades for me to truly appreciate the value that is to me. I still am learning what a great thing it is to be a Christ-follower.

The third best day for me was the day I met my wife-to-be at a Forest Service gas pump out in Silver Lake, Oregon in June of 1985. I talked to her for maybe five minutes and walked away thinking “I will marry her or no one else!” Then I thought, “That is a crazy thought!” Well about 24 days later I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. We have been married over 38 years now, so I guess it was a good thing… ha. Yes, I celebrate that all the time.

Other memorable days of celebration in my life are the six days on which my children were born. I truly love each one, even the ones who bring me much grief at times. I have learned so much from them about applying the wonderful truths of scripture in my life. Just today I got to learn about mercy (again). In Luke 6: 35-36 Jesus says “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Now as parents we hopefully do not view our offspring as enemies, but sometimes it feels like that doesn’t it? Raising children to be fully-functioning, independent, productive and honorable adults is a difficult task. When one of them is caught in the stronghold of drugs, gambling, lying, pornography, stealing, selfish living or any other sinful and addictive passion that drives them away from family or God it is horrible. Many of you know what I mean. There is no or very little celebrating going on in a home where drug and alcohol and gambling and hypocrisy rule. Fear and anger replace joy and love.

This morning, I have been meditating on verse 36. That is, I have filled my mind and heart with some verses from the Bible on how God deals with us sinful and rebellious people. Sure, He does judge sin in our lives, and we all suffer the consequences thereof. But He also show us great mercy in allowing both his erring children, and those outside his family to live and go on with life. Some eventually come to the place of repentance, turning from their sin and turning to Christ for freedom. When that happens, the Bible says in Luke 15:7 there is much joy in heaven, “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Those who never repent find there is no joy awaiting them. Jesus describes the place of eternal torment and anguish in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as real and very unjoyful. The book of Revelation calls this place the Lake of Fire, Revelation 19:20, 20:10 and 20: 14-15. There is no card playing and partying in hell my friends. No celebrations.

So, if you are looking for a party and celebration that always satisfies, has no hangovers, and never ends then look to the One who has the greatest joy awaiting you. He has sent every man an RSVP to the heavenly party, won’t you reply in the affirmative today?

I pray you have a blessed 4th of July with friends and family!

Dave Carroll is an area missionary with InFaith, America’s oldest Christian home mission agency. He is also pastor of the Wolf Creek Baptist Church. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935 or davecarroll@infaith.org