The Brevity of Life
Mike Johnson
The Bible uses many different terms to express the brevity of life. It describes life as a wind, a cloud, grass, a flower, and also as a vapor. (Job 7:6-10, 14:1-2; James 4:14; I Pet. 1:24). The Christian and the alien sinner constantly need to have the concept of the brevity of life impressed upon their minds. The purpose of this article will be to examine several passages that deal with this subject and then to apply this principle to the alien sinner, lukewarmness, teaching others, and persecution.
James 4:14 states, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and vanisheth away.” Perhaps you have seen a vapor in a city coming from a manhole cover. It appears for a few seconds, and than a small breeze will cause it to quickly vanish away. Vapor, as well as life, is very unsubstantial. Concerning life, we can only be certain of the second that is upon us.
I Peter 1:24 shows a contrast between the Word of God and flesh as it states, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass witherest, and the flower thereof falleth away.” The flower is a most beautiful aspect of nature; yet it is also very fragile. Like grass, the flower represents the shortness of human life.
Notice Job 14:1-2 which states, “man that is born of a woman is of a few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.” Again, we have the representation of the flower, but another significant symbol, the shadow, is also mentioned. Shadows are certainly not substantial and are very fickle. Such figures as the vapor, a flower, and a shadow certainly illustrate the brevity of life.
The Alien Sinner
Often people put off becoming a Christian. These people certainly need to consider that the judgment may be at any time (Mt. 25:36), and also that the longer one puts off obedience to the gospel, the easier it may be for the heart to become hardened. Also, a person who delays obedience needs to consider the brevity of life. From the obituary columns in the newspaper, it can be seen that no age group is excluded from death. We must realize that “. . . now is the day of salvation.” An individual who is not a Christian needs to be like the Philippian jailor. When he realized what he needed to do, he responded and was baptized on that same night (Acts 16:25-34).
Lukewarmness
The Christian also needs to recognize the brevity of life. Many, after they are baptized, fall into a state of lukewarmness and decide that they have plenty of time to exhibit the zeal and obedience that God requires. The lukewarm person is in a very dangerous state. In the letter to the church at Laodicea, Christ said in Revelation 3:16, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” The lukewarm condition is a dangerous condition to be in, especially when one considers the uncertainty of life. We have no guarantee of tomorrow.
Teaching Others
We also need to consider the brevity of life in connection with our duty to teach other people. In Mark 16:15, Jesus told his apostles, “. . . Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” There are certain people whom we might be able to teach, but we put off teaching them. However, we need to consider that we are not guaranteed our next breath nor is the person who needs teaching guaranteed another second. There is an urgency to the spreading of the Word.
Persecution
There are times when Christians face persecutions. Persecution can be physical, but it may also take other forms such as verbal abuse or being shunned by those who are supposed to be friends. II Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Also, Christians may face many other kinds of hardships while here on earth. However, the brevity of life again comes into focus. It points out that we will not always have to face persecutions and hardships. One day we will be able, as faithful Christians, to obtain an eternal reward. This life is very short compared to eternity, and if we are faithful unto death, we will be able to obtain the crown of life (Rev. 2:20). We will go to a place where there is no more pain, sorrow, or crying (Rev. 21:4)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the brevity of life should make the alien sinner realize that urgency of becoming a Christian; it should make the lukewarm Christian recognize the need for zeal; it should cause all Christians to understand the importance of not putting off teaching others. Finally, as we face hardships, the principle of the brevity of life should give us strength.