Category Archives: Eternity

Martyrs singing hymns in the Coliseum
Bible, Death, Eternity, Freedom, Grace, Hebrews, Scripture

DYING GRACE ON DYING DAYS

HEBREWS 2:15

“and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”

My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, used to employ those words at funerals. As a pastor, he quite often was with Christians as they prepared to give up this earthly vessel. He would comment on the peace these believers had at the very doors of death and would say they received the grace they needed on that day, thus, dying grace on dying days.

The writer of Hebrews continues to alleviate the fears of death for us as believers at the prospect of dying physically. Barnes says it well in his commentary on this verse. “The dread of death may be removed by the work of Christ, and they who had been subject to constant alarms on account of it may be brought to look on it with calmness and peace; and ultimately they will be brought to a world where it will be wholly unknown…Death conducts them to heaven. A Christian has nothing to fear in death; nothing beyond the grave. In no part of the universe has he anything to dread, for God is his friend, and he will be his Protector everywhere. On the dying bed; in the grave; on the way up to the judgment; at the solemn tribunal; and in the eternal world, he is under the eye and the protection of his Saviour – and of what should he be afraid?” That pretty much sums it up, don’t you think?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

May I suggest that there is a Command to Obey here? While it may not be spelled out that abruptly in the text, I believe we are told here, “Do Not Fear!” Oh, don’t those words stir up verses in your head? In Joshua 1:9, the Lord told Joshua, “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’” That still applies to us today, even on the deathbed. The Lord will accompany you in those final breaths.

The reference to “slavery” in our text has to do with the way many feared death. They were in bondage to the fear surrounding it. Remember, many of these believers were under constant threat of persecution or even death. But I have a picture in my mind of the early martyrs who huddled together and sang hymns while they were in the Coliseum waiting to be killed by lions. That is truly dying grace on dying days.

We are all mortal. We will all succumb to death at some point unless the Lord returns. We, however, as followers of Christ are free from the shackles of death. We embrace it knowing we will see Jesus face to face. Do not fear, beloved, the Lord is with you.

Words cannot express the peace that is ours when we embrace death as a follower of Christ.

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Radiant cross above an open stone tomb overlooking a sunlit valley
Bible, Destroy, Devil, Eternal Life, Eternity, Hebrews, Scripture, Subdue

DOOMED DEVIL

HEBREWS 2:14

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,”

You may know that I am a University of Georgia football fan. I went to school there and follow the bulldogs during the season. Last week was a special victory over a rival team in the same conference. I can’t say we destroyed them since the game was a close one. We were able to subdue them just enough to squeak out a win. I’ll take it. A “W” is a “W.”

Don’t you just love today’s verse? Jesus came to destroy the devil at his own game – the game of death. Jesus conquered death and the grave and rose again the third day. The Greek word for “destroy” is katargeó which means to totally render idle, to subdue. Jesus threw the devil into neutral. He lost his power over the grave and death. In Romans this word is translated “nullify.” We know that the devil’s ultimate defeat will come later at the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign. That will be the end of Satan. But right now, Jesus has made him toothless.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

This is certainly a Promise to claim. What better promise could we receive than the promise that Jesus was and is victorious over the devil? And because of His victory, we also walk in victory. Once we turn to Jesus and follow Him, the devil has lost all claims on us. Do you understand what this means? Because your life now belongs to Christ, the devil cannot claim it. You cannot lose something that you no longer have. And he certainly can’t grab anything out of the hand of God, can he?

We see this spelled out in 2 Timothy 1:10, “but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” Isn’t that great? By abolishing death (spiritual death), Jesus brought life. We see this also 1 John 3:8b, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus fulfilled His mission by destroying the prince of this world.

We will all die physically one day unless Jesus returns in our lifetime (and that could happen). I do not fear my physical death. Now, I would love to choose how I go, but the act of death doesn’t frighten me. Why? Because my spiritual death has been abolished. The Lamb of God paid the price for my sins and once I received Him, I was made secure eternally. The saying is true – Born once, die twice; Born twice, die once. Are you ready?

Father, I praise You for Christ’s victory over our adversary and the promise of eternal life with You.

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Gray T-shirt and joggers laid on a bed beside tea and a book
Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Hebrews, Imperishable, Scripture

OLD CLOTHES

HEBREWS 1:11

“‘THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT,’”

Okay, I have to admit – I’ve got some old clothes. But in my defense, there is just something about a comfy pair of old sweatpants or a worn out T-shirt. My wife is always hiding my “good stuff” and buying me a new shirt or pair of shorts. I am thankful for that because if it wasn’t for her, I would probably be wearing shirts and pants from the 80’s. Hey, aren’t they back in style?

We see the quotation from Psalm 102:26 today. The verse is comparing the fallibility of the creation to the perfection of Christ. If you look back at the previous verse in Psalm 102, you will see it talks about Jesus being the One Who created the heavens and the earth. But even though He created them, they “will perish.” I love how the Psalmist says “they all will wear out like a garment. Nothing created is imperishable. Only the eternal things are.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We see Something new about God here, don’t we? We know this truth from His Word. Jesus will always remain. In Revelation 20:11 we read, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.”  Jesus Himself says in Matthew 24:35, “‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.’”

Can I propose something here that could be seen as a Sin to avoid and an Application to make? We seem to think we will last forever. We live our lives as if there are no limits to our days. That kind of selfish living is not pleasing to God and is disobedience to His Word. We must remember that our life is a vapor. James 4:14 tells us so. “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

Take comfort, my friend. Jesus is there and will always be there. He is not going anywhere. He is seated on His throne just waiting for the call from the Father to come and receive His bride. Until then we are to be living our lives for eternity, trying to take as many people as we can with us. Heaven and earth will pass away one day. Jesus will establish a new heaven and a new earth. I can’t wait to see that. How about you?

I am thankful, Lord, knowing You are the Eternal One. My eternity rests in You.

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Ancient manuscript on stone altar lit by sunlight from a church window
Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Father, Holy Spirit, Promises, Scripture

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE

ROMANS 15:8

“For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,”

It is so important that we keep our promises. Parents have to keep their promises to their children. When dad promises to take the children to the park after school, he needs to make that his priority. When mom promises to bake cookies for her son’s class, she needs to bake them with earnest. I read a quote this morning that really stung. It said, “Twenty years from now the only people who will remember that you worked late are your kids.? (Sahil Bloom) Keep those promises you make to your children and grandchildren.

Christ kept not only His promises, but the Father’s promises. After all, He and the Father are one, right? I love how Ellicott expresses his view on this verse. “My doctrine is that Christ came with a two-fold purpose: on the one hand, with a mission to the Jews, the chosen circumcised race, to vindicate to them the truthfulness of God in respect to His promises, by Himself confirming and fulfilling those promises; and, on the other hand, with the object to exhibit the mercy of God in rescuing the Gentiles from their state of condemnation, and giving them cause to glorify God’s name.”

APPLICATION

What are these “promises” Paul refers to here. The Topical Lexicon says, “The noun epaggelia occurs fifty-two times in the Greek New Testament and consistently denotes a divine commitment that is certain, gracious, and future-oriented. Every use anchors the reader in God’s unbreakable word, whether the referent is the patriarchal inheritance, the outpoured Spirit, salvation in Christ, or the consummation of all things.” Wow! A divine commitment! When God promises something, He keeps it!

One of my favorite verses is Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Can you say that about the promises you’ve made? I sure can’t. It seems today promises are not considered worthy of keeping. Isn’t that sad? Divorce rates among believers are practically the same as among unbelievers. Breach of contracts in business occur daily. Promises made should be promises kept.

Of course, one of the greatest promises Jesus made and kept was the sending of the Holy Spirit into our lives as believers. Just look what He said in Acts 1:4-5. “4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Again, promise made, promise kept. Thank You, Jesus.

I give You praise, O Lord, for being a promise keeper. Help me be more like You in that way.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Two professionals sitting and discussing business charts and strategy notes in an office
Accountability, Eternity, Glory, Judging, Judgment, Service, Works

WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT

ROMANS 14:12

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Have you ever been called into your boss’ office to give a report on your work? It can be intimidating, can’t it? If you have done your job well, there is usually nothing to worry about (unless your boss is just an ogre, lol). But if you’ve been slacking on the job or have not met goals that were set for you, you might me in for a little “woodshed” time. That is never comfortable. I always tried to avoid those kinds of meetings by doing what I was asked to the best of my ability.

Paul continues the discussion of the bema seat judgment for believers with today’s verse. He reminds us that we have to give an account of ourselves to the Lord and Master of the universe. Don’t skip over that first word, though. Paul writes, “So…” This participle in the Greek is ara and it is decisive. You could translate it as “no doubt, then, therefore, wherefore.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). No believer will be exempt from this. It doesn’t matter how long you were a Christian and how much you think you may have done for the Lord, you will give an account.

APPLICATION

But let’s take a look at that phrase “give an account.” Barnes says this phrase means, “That is, of his character and conduct; his words and actions; his plans and purposes. In the fearful arraignment of that day every work and purpose shall be brought forth and tried by the unerring standard of justice. As we shall be called to so fearful an account with God, we should not be engaged in condemning our brethren but should examine whether we are prepared to give up our account with joy, and not with grief.” I love how he points it back to Paul’s discussion earlier in this chapter about judging others.

The Greek for this phrase, however, is not anything elaborate or difficult to understand. It literally reads “will give a word.” We will have to explain ourselves. Afterall, at the time of this judgment we will not be able to justify our actions or lack of action. What has been done is done. I wonder if the Lord will ask us any questions. I don’t think so. All we can really say at this point is, “Here I am, Lord. These are the works I have done in Your name.” Then the fire will test them. Whoof!

And it is important to point out that we will give an account of ourself. No one is going to step up and defend our works for us. Nor will we be able to speak on behalf of someone else. Each believer will give an account for their own works. So, let me ask you, are your works fireproof? Will they pass the test? Make sure the works you are doing for Jesus are works He has initiated and blessed. Don’t do something and then ask the Lord to bless it. Ask Him first. If He says to do it and you do it as He instructs, I guarantee it will pass the test. Serve Him wisely.

Father, I want all my works to be done for Your glory and not mine.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Wooden signpost with arrows labeled 'Living' pointing left and 'Dying' pointing right on a rural dirt path.
Bible, dying, Eternal Life, Eternity, Living, Romans, Scripture

LIVE OR DIE

ROMANS 14:8

“for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Living and dying. That’s really what it boils down to, isn’t it? How we decide to live our lives here on planet earth may determine the quality of our life and could determine the way we die. I am not afraid of dying. In fact, I welcome it. Before you call the crisis help line, I mean I have chosen to embrace the certainty of death knowing where I will be the instant I take my last breath. I am the Lord’s.

Paul says as much in today’s verse. He says, “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Paul wrote this letter to the Romans while he was in Corinth, almost a full decade before he was beheaded in Rome. Isn’t it ironic that he penned these words to the very city where he would die? Paul wasn’t afraid to die. He knew the Lord had him on a mission, and he was safe as long as he stayed in His will. God would take him home when He was ready for him and not a day sooner.

APPLICATION

In Philippians 1:21-22, Paul addresses this life or death question. “21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.” Even though death may be a welcome thing for a follower of Christ, God can still use us here to spread the Gospel. We have work to be done, or as Paul says, “fruitful labor.”

Look again at what Paul says. If we live, we live for the Lord. We live to glorify the Master. We live to please Him and live according to His will. While we are here on this earth, as a follower of Christ, I belong to Him. Everything I am, everything I own belongs to Him. I am nothing compared to Jesus. To borrow the words of John the Baptist in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

And then when we die, we also belong to Him. As a follower of Christ, I am guaranteed a front row seat with Jesus. How about that? Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that we prefer to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Wherever that may be, I am His. I will exist in eternity to glorify Him. Shouldn’t I be practicing that down here? I want to be well prepared to praise my Maker one day, don’t you?

Father God, I praise You that I am Yours whether I live or die.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Winding river through forested mountains leading to ocean at sunset
Bible, Creation, Creator, Eternity, Glory, Romans, Scripture

FROM, THROUGH AND TO

ROMANS 11:36

“For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Let’s make something perfectly clear. Everything is from God. This whole universe rests in the palm of His hands. He placed the stars (all of them in all the galaxies) in place. Paul drives that point home in the last verse of Romans 11.

Paul’s use of these three prepositions (from, through and to) was not just a random thought. There are deep theological truths here. Here is what one commentary said about this verse. “All things are from God (primal cause), in so far as all things have proceeded from God’s creative power; through God (ground of mediate agency), in so far as nothing exists without God’s continuous operation; for God (final cause), in so far as all things serve the ends of God (not merely: the honour of God, as many think).” (Meyer’s NT Commentary) That’s pretty good, huh?

APPLICATION

This verse is very similar to a verse in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In Colossians 1:16 we read, “for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” That pretty much covers it, right? It was all created by, came through Him and is for Him.

In 1 Corinthians 8:6, Paul writes this thought again, “yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” I really like that last phrase, “and we exist through Him.” Don’t forget that! We exist because of Him and through Him. I pray each day that my actions will only be what He wants to do through me. I don’t always do that, but that is my prayer.

So, as Paul concludes this chapter (I know, I know, there were no chapters in his letter), we find ourselves giving praise to the only true God. The last phrase of today’s verse is such a great way to finish this thought. May we all join Paul when he says, “To Him be the glory forever. Amen” Everything we do should bring Him glory. It is all for Him! Praise Him!

We praise You, O Lord, for all You have done, are doing and will continue to do for us.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternity, Faith, Hope, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

WHAT IS THIS HOPE?

ROMANS 8:24

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?”

I have hoped for a lot of things in my life. When I was younger, I hoped for toys at Christmas having dogeared about a hundred pages in the old Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalog. Who remembers that? Then I hoped for a car, a girlfriend, a job, etc. It seems I was hoping all the time. But you know what? When I got those things, I stopped hoping for them. Why? Because now I had them. Now I could see them.

Paul says something similar today in verse 24 of chapter 8. But the Greek text is a little tricky here. We need to make sure we understand it. First of all, there is no preposition in front of the first “hope.” It should read, “For hope…” The verb “saved” is in the Aorist which points back to a certain point. So, it should read as the NASB has it above or perhaps as “we were saved.” Put that all together. “For hope we were saved.” The second phrase is pretty clear, but let’s look at the last phrase. The verbs “hopes” and “sees” are both in the Present tense. So, they could be translated as “hoping” and “seeing.” It could therefore read, “for who is hoping for what he is seeing.”

APPLICATION

Okay, enough Greek for today. Right? Sorry about that, but sometimes the English just isn’t clear enough. But Paul’s message is. We hope for our future glorification. That’s what that first phrase says. “For hope we were saved.” For what hope? For the hope of eternity with Christ. For the hope of knowing Him fully one day. But it is a certain hope because He promised. Hebrews 11:1 tell us, “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” I love how Watchman Nee defines this. He refers to J.N. Darby’s New Translation which reads, “Faith is the substantiating of things hoped for.” Faith isn’t just a substance or certainty. It’s making this hope real.

So, I ask you, “What are you hoping for?” Well, Carl, I hope I make it to heaven. I’ve heard so many people who claim to be followers of Christ make that remark. How silly! Our eternal home is more than a hope. Our faith has substantiated that. Christ has promised us a home. Stop hoping and start believing.

What else are you hoping for? Good health? Good kids? Wealth? Listen, start placing all your faith in Him. He will decide what is best for you, not your hoping. Do you believe He wants what is best for you? Start trusting Him. Remember, hope that is seen is not hope. We have seen Jesus! He has saved us – period. All hope is settled by our faith in Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Belong, Bible, Dwelling, Eternity, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Romans, Scripture

BELONGING

ROMANS 8:9

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

I belong to Jack and Mack (real names were James and Maxine) Willis from Pelham, GA. I have been able through a few genealogy sites to trace my Willis heritage back to Londonshire England and to the year 1555. I am from English, Scottish, Irish, Finish, French and Spanish bloodlines. Belonging to something means something. It is just natural for everybody to want to belong to someone else.

I just love how Paul says in today’s verse that if we do not have the Spirit, we do not belong to God. So, the opposite must be true. If we have the Spirit of God within us (which is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus), then we belong to the Father. Add that to the long line of my genealogy. I belong to God. And I will always belong to God. Nothing can separate me from His love.

APPLICATION

The Greek actually reads in that last phrase of the verse “he not is of Him.” We will see in the last verse of chapter 8 that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verse 39). Listen friend, if you are in Christ, there is nothing on earth or in the heavenlies that can separate you from Him. Nothing!

Our world doesn’t believe in that kind of love. Why? Because our love is so fickle. We fall into and out of love so easily, it seems. Forty years and beyond marriages are relics of the past. When we hear of someone having a 50 year marriage celebration, we stand in awe. My wife and I have hit forty, and I am praying we can make it to fifty or more. But God’s love has no end is sight. His love will continue throughout eternity.

That’s true belonging. Jesus told us He was going to prepare us a place. Jesus isn’t building a shanty. He is building us an eternal home. This will be a “belonging” home, one built with an eternal love. How is that even possible? Because it is being built with eternal products made in heaven. Can you even imagine? So, rest easy dear one. If you are in Christ, if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you belong to Him.

Dear God, I cannot even begin to comprehend Your eternal love for me. I am so thankful for it.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Death, Eternal Life, Eternity, Gifts, Jesus, Scripture, Sin, Wages

WAGES VS GIFTS

ROMANS 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Here we are again with another one of my Every Man A Warrior memory verses. We teach this verse to men to train them to share the gospel. Google “The Bridge Illustration” and you will find numerous examples. We use this verse because it spells out the Gospel so simply for anyone at any age. I actually have an App on my phone called “ShareYourFaith” which uses the Bridge Illustration also. Check it out.

Paul brings us to the end of chapter 6 (of course, there were no chapters in his letters) with this familiar verse. I want us to look at the key words of this verse today – wages, sin, death, gift, eternal life, Christ Jesus. And the biggest word in the verse is right in the middle – but. That word changes everything. Everything said in the first half of the verse is trumped by what is said in the second. But…a little word with big implications.

APPLICATION

“…the wages of sin is death,… We earn death (our wages) because of our sin. Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, man has been held liable for their sins. The punishment for Adam’s disobedience was death, first a physical death. Then, if that sin was not atoned for, a spiritual death. Since Adam mankind has suffered these deaths. There is no way of escaping this punishment in and of ourselves. We cannot earn back our physical or spiritual life.

BUT… God had a plan from the foundation of the world. He knew what would happen in the garden. If He had not known, He would not be much of a God. And even though He knew the choice Eve and then Adam would make, He did not intervene to stop them. They had to decide on their own to obey Him. If He forced their obedience, they would rebel against that. You see, Jesus was not God’s plan B. He was always the plan.

“…the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now, the rest of the story.” God gives us a gift. It cost us nothing. It’s free. We just have to accept it. What is that gift? Eternal life with Jesus. Hold on, Carl. What’s the catch? No catch. You see, that’s what causes so many to stumble. They are looking for the hook in this gift. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you (John 3:16). If you haven’t accepted that gift yet, do it today. If you have, give Him praise for this inexhaustible gift that has brought billions of people into His kingdom. There is always room for one more.

This world doesn’t know how to accept free gifts. Thank You for giving so freely so I can live with You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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