Wednesday, January 2, 2013

~ "Gone..."


And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Gen 5:24)

Enoch was a Godly man. He won favor with God by the way he lived his life. When we read the genealogy from Adam through to Jared, it tells us the length of time each man lived and that they "died". Enoch did not die ~ "he was not; for God took him". In all the commentary I've read (and additionally, a sermon preached by my pastor in Tennessee a few years ago) we find that Enoch did not die. He was "translated to heaven-a mighty miracle, designed to effect what ordinary means of instruction had failed to accomplish, gave a palpable proof to an age of almost universal unbelief that the doctrines which he had taught (Jude 14, 15) were true and that his devotedness to the cause of God and righteousness in the midst of opposition was highly pleasing to the mind of God." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

It is not impossible to find favor in God's eyes! It is not unreasonable to believe that God can do anything, perform any miracle or grant any request. He asks us to be sincere in our prayers and praises. He wants us to lead clean, wholesome lives. He asks us to be truthful and honest with those we interact with. He has shown us time and time again that he is all-powerful and that failure to walk in his ways will surely bring about an afterlife, an eternity of hell, making the life led on earth seem like a treasure. 

The miracles performed by Jesus, the graces and miracles that still find their way to us here on earth, the testimonies of those who have heard the voice of God have not persuaded the multitudes to bow down and worship. We live our lives under the mistaken presumption that because we are saved we can do what we want! So many believe that earth is hell - that they are entitled to happiness for the rest of their lives, that they've earned it through the abominable sufferings they've endured! All you need do is read the third chapter of Genesis to see that all the privilege of comfort in this world were given up by Adam and Eve.

Take an inventory of yourself and make every effort to change what you know to be outside of the will of God. Call on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you to walk with God. It's not too late to make things "right" with him. Bow down now, ask forgiveness now - for we know that one day "every knee shall bow" and then it will be too late!