As Christians, we believe in the resurrection. We believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose on the third day. The Bible teaches that we also will be resurrected - all people who have died or will yet die will be resurrected. Acts 24: 15 talks about this resurrection: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
So having this hope in us that we will surely be resurrected, what difference does it make in us today as to how we live our lives from day to day? To know that this life is not all there is, but that there surely is a life hereafter, creates a desire and determination within us to do what pleases God and to be found acceptable to Him. Verse 16 of Acts chapter 24 says : 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
So we Paul says here that he makes sure (and so should we) that he lives in such a way as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men. This would indicate that we keep short accounts with God and the people around us. This of course means repenting before God of our wrong doings, receiving forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. It is also doing right to the people around us, living by the golden rule which is found in Matthew 7:12 - 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
We are also instructed to live in peace in Romans 12:18 - 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Living in a right relationship with God and with the Lord Jesus, and working at living in right relationship with the people around us helps us to be prepared and ready to meet God whenever our appointed time comes.
An interesting to note to add would be that both of these passages include the importance of the Law and the Prophets.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and in Matthew 7:12 Jesus uses that very phrase.
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
So having this hope in us that we will surely be resurrected, what difference does it make in us today as to how we live our lives from day to day? To know that this life is not all there is, but that there surely is a life hereafter, creates a desire and determination within us to do what pleases God and to be found acceptable to Him. Verse 16 of Acts chapter 24 says : 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
So we Paul says here that he makes sure (and so should we) that he lives in such a way as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men. This would indicate that we keep short accounts with God and the people around us. This of course means repenting before God of our wrong doings, receiving forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. It is also doing right to the people around us, living by the golden rule which is found in Matthew 7:12 - 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
We are also instructed to live in peace in Romans 12:18 - 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Living in a right relationship with God and with the Lord Jesus, and working at living in right relationship with the people around us helps us to be prepared and ready to meet God whenever our appointed time comes.
An interesting to note to add would be that both of these passages include the importance of the Law and the Prophets.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and in Matthew 7:12 Jesus uses that very phrase.
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
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