Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage" (Heb 2:14-15). Isn’t there a little fear of death in some of us, and a lot of fear in many more of us? Yet we are told not to fear death because if we remain in Christ, we shall never die.
I hate to say this but after graduating early from High School but before starting college I racked up a ‘few’ speeding tickets. ‘Who told my auto insurance company? How did they find out?’ I thought. After the rates increased astronomically, I ditched my shiny red car, purchased an old F-250 Ford pick up truck to save money on insurance so I could continue to drive. While inspecting her I noticed only two tiny spots of rust on two fenders. Since she was only $400 I drove her home.
After sanding away the two tiny rust spots I noticed more and more rust. I kept sanding and removing rotten metal until I was missing a big chunk of two fenders. Because buying another box was out of the question, I used two pieces of chicken wire fence, strips of fiberglass and body putty to patch the big holes in each fender. After a little primer I took her to several body shops in the area for an estimate on a paint job. After being turned away and laughed at, I took her to Earl Scheib’s and they painted her Mediterranean Blue for $99 plus tax!
None of us like getting sick and growing old (which are effects of Original Sin). People are constantly going to doctors to ‘get fixed.’ Some need an engine overhaul, akin to a cardiac bypass, or a transition or suspension repair, akin to a hip or knee replacement. Some prefer a little plastic surgery akin to face lifts or a little Botox. But eventually like cars that end up in the junk yard, after our souls separate from our bodies they end up in the grave. "In the sweat of your face you shall return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen 3:19). Thank God He became one of us to die, so we can live eternally.
Yes, if we remain in Christ, we shall never die and unlike restored cars our bodies are in store for the ultimate restoration – the resurrection of our dead bodies, to be reunited with our souls to shine forever like the celestial bodies in the sky (Dan 12:3; Matt 13:43).
As for cars and trucks, please spread the word that we are in dire need of vehicles. When one is donated to us, we either give it away to a needy individual or family, sell it and use the funds to help those in need of rent, utilities, medicines, grants for counseling etc, or put them in our fleet as we use donated vehicles to pick up bread, food, material items, deliver items to the poor, take clients to medical appointments, to the store. etc., while you receive a tax break!
Remember these words of Jesus, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (Jn 6:54). The ultimate body restoration!
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