Better than the day of Birth

 Better than the day of birth

In Ecclesiastes we read,

“A good name is better that perfumed oil and the day of death better than the day of birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1.

“The day of death better than the day of birth”, quite a statement. Here the writer is not referring to one’s own death but to that of another. Bereavement should, or at least should be a call to those grieving to think of their morality. 

There’s an old saying I heard along time ago by C.T. Stud that said,

“We have only one life it shall soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.” C. T. Stud.

So if you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, what have you done for Christ?

Please think about it.

Words from the apostle Peter

 Words from the apostle Peter

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1Peter 1:3-5.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you can join the apostle Peter in praising God.

We praise God for,

Giving us a new birth.

Giving us a living hope, 

Giving us an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

All of which is kept for us in heaven.

Question is this you?

Please think about it.

A Belief

  A Belief

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“A good name is better that perfumed oil 

and the day of death better than the day of birth." 

                                                                         Ecclesiastes 7:1.

What the author is saying here is a good name is better than the most expensive perfumed oil. You can’t buy a good name. That’s why individuals must be careful not to tarnish their name by doing things that are morally wrong.

When the writer states “the day of death is better than the day or birth” all the commentaries indicate that this in not in reference to ones own death but the death of someone else. This is in line with what the next verse states,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Later on in Ecclesiastes we read,

“The thoughts of the wise are in the house of mourning, but the thoughts of fools are in the house of pleasure.” Ecclesiastes 7:4.

All of these statements may seem odd at first glance but looked at from an eternal prospective it makes sense.

The death of anyone should prompt us to look at how fragile and how finite life is. Everyone who has ever been born will spend more time in eternity than they will spend in this life.

Thus the question becomes where will you spend eternity?

In the gospel of John we read this statement made by Jesus. Referring to Himself he states,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

Thus the choice dear reader is your. Do you believe what is said here or not?

Please think about it.

An Odd Statement?

 An odd statement?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

 “A good name is better that perfumed oil 

and the day of death better than the day of birth." 

                                                                          Ecclesiastes 7:1.

The first part of this scripture portion is easy to understand. A good name in this world is far better than anything else the world has to offer.

At first glance however the last portion of this scripture “the day of death better than the day of birth” seems odd. But is it?

From my standpoint as a believer in Christ Jesus. One who truly believes in God I can understand why the writer of Ecclesiastes said “the day of death is better than the day of birth.”

The logic being if we truly have faith in God death becomes a transition between this life with all its trials and tribulations and the eternal life in heaven where trials and tribulations are no

more.

On the day of our birth into this life by contrast, we must walk an earthly path that not only has good times but also bad times. 

So the question becomes are you ready for the day of your death?

On the day Jesus was crucified with two criminals we read in Luke’s gospel,

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

The criminal who asked Jesus to remember him showed what we must do to have eternal life. 

1/ He confessed his sins.

The apostle John writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9.

2/He believed in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah.

The apostle Paul writing,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  Romans 10: 9,10.

 Thus my question to you, Do you believe this?

Please think about it.