"Set Your House In Order"

If we've ever visited a cemetery, we know that death plays no favorites — the grim reaper's sickle reaps the king on the throne as well as the slave working in the field. Death not only claims the elderly on the bed of pain and suffering, but takes a tragic toll on young people as well. No one is exempt (Hebrews 9:27).

In the democracy of death, there's indeed a truth that all people suddenly become equal (cf. Ecclesiastes 2:12-16; Psalm 49:10). Surely then, every sensible and intelligent person, needs to give consideration to the challenging command God set before King Hezekiah: "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live" (2 Kings 20:1; Isaiah 38:1).

We need to remember that those who are prepared to die, are the most fit to live (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Each day, there are literally millions of folks who spend their lives in pursuit of sinful pleasures, without ever entertaining a thought to "setting their house in order." Jesus talked about the rich man's attitude toward his life and possessions: "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry, but God said unto him, 'You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" (Luke 12:19-20).

Such fools have always been plentiful. One such fool may say, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1), while another fools says, "God is dead," continuing to make a mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9; cf. Romans 1:32). The way of every fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15; cf. Luke 18:11).

The drunkard tries to justify his drunkenness, the adulterer his infidelity, the thief his dishonesty, and the liar his falsehoods. However, if repentance is not forthcoming, they will all meet at the same place (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; cf. Revelation 21:8,27). The prophet Isaiah gave a remedy for such sinners, when he stated: "Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).

Beloved, if we haven't already, it's time to "set our house in order," and then keep it in order so we will be "ready" when our Lord returns to take us home (Matthew 25:10; Luke 12:35-36; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets