Style or Substance?

As I look out of the window, I see a light dusting of snow. It looks nice enough, but it is only a surface coating. Mostly style rather than substance.

In much of modern life (and maybe ancient life as well), we need to be aware of the important difference between style (appearance and surface qualities), and substance (what a person is). 

Jesus spoke of those who were just style, merely play acting (hypocrites), who were wolves in sheep's clothing. Our substance is what counts.

A friend of mine, who has had cancer for some time, in dying. We received an update last evening. His son, my godson, is returning from Taiwan as quickly as he can, as his father is declining very quickly. It is all very sad and difficult.

Jesus spoke wonderful words to his closest friends on the night before he was arrested. '“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14.1-4) These wonderful words teach us how we can safe and secure in the face of death.

All of us will face our own death, and the death of those closest to us. How will we cope?

What sort of faith in God do we have? Is it style or substance? 

How deeply and truly do we entrust ourselves into the safe hands of Jesus?

These are the sorts of questions we all need to face.

At the end of the email telling us of my friend, Jeremy's approaching death, we were reminded 'The good thing about all this is that Jeremy is very certain of his eternal future. He 'knows whom he has believed...' which is a great comfort to him, to Sally and to many friends.'

May your trust in Jesus be as deep and real as it needs to be. 

Get things clear before it is too late.

Best wishes,

Richard