Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
- I Peter 1:17-21

There are people who live their life thinking only of today. Tomorrow has no meaning or significance to them. They are like fighting men who say, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow we die."

People who think like this are not interested in a future life. They are of the impression that there is no future in tomorrow or the afterlife. Therefore, they live only for the moment.

However, when we pass from life to death, we must face the judgement. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.

This world is not our home; we are merely sojourners here on Earth. Even though we often live as if we will be here forever, our time is short. According to the Psalmist, "the years go quickly, and we fly away".

For many of us, it seems like only yesterday that we could stay up late and party till the break of dawn. I know there was a time in my youth, I felt like my energy would last forever. However, that energy with which I was so extravagant is long spent.

Someone expressed that young people live as if they are not afraid of anything, particularly death. That is true for all generations. In my youth, I felt invincible. I felt like I was immortal.

However, in the text, the apostle tells us to live differently. We have a new life in Christ.

We are to live not only for today, but for life, life eternal.

To do that, we must be aware that this Earth is only a temporary place for us. It's like a waiting station. Our true life is with Jesus in heaven.

Yes, we have a new life in Christ. Therefore, we have been born anew. We have been born anew through the living and enduring word of God. This new birth comes through the working of the Holy Spirit.

He works through the announcement of the good news of Jesus Christ, God's word. The spirit of God also works through the sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

We are born anew in baptism. This new life we have will never perish. It will never perish because we have a guarantee from God.

When we get a guarantee from man, it seldom holds. I have had so many disappointments in guarantees from men, I don't take them anymore. However, I can rely upon God's guarantee.

We are born anew through the sacrament of the altar, the bread, and the wine of the Lord's Supper. We are born anew in the life-giving power of the words or Holy Scripture.

This new life in Christ, which the apostle talks about, is for everlasting life. It promises and guarantees a home not here on Earth, but in heaven.

This is the life Jesus died to give us. The price which he paid for our sins on Good Friday and resurrected on Sunday morning guaranteeing victory over the grave.

That is why we who are in Christ will not live as if this place is our home. We will not mouth the words, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow we die." Tomorrow, we may die, but we die with the hope of a new life with Christ. Amen.

   
• Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Dr can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone 426-9084; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org. 

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