This afternoon I read the words of Jesus Christ in Mark 4:21-23: "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus had just explained to His disciples the meaning of the Parable of the Sower, how the seed is the good Word of God sown into the hearts of men of various conditions. Though a farmer couldn't explain exactly how a seed germinates and grows into a living, fruitful plant, time would clearly reveal of what sort a seed was.
Lamps are lit for the purpose of shining light, and the farmer sows seed ultimately for the purpose of bearing fruit. The farmer cannot see what is happening under the soil, and it would be disastrous for him to dig it up. Time would reveal the type of soil the seed was sown in by the growth and fruitfulness of the plant. When the Bible is sown into the hearts of people, the life of a person reveals their true character. Sometimes in this life the truth isn't clear to everyone. But a day unknown to us is coming when our bodies will die and our entire lives will be exposed before the holy God in heaven who will render to every man according to his works. What has been kept secret - good or bad - will be brought into the light.
These words hit me afresh as I consider the passing of my friend Tim Martinsen. We spent a year in school as apprentices together, and he worked as my apprentice for years following. I can honestly say we were friends. We quickly hit it off and enjoyed plenty of laughs, deep conversations, and experienced both fun and trying times together. He was a funny guy and I have many fond memories of him. It was a treasure to speak to Tim about things of God and celebrated his baptism in Mission Bay. After I switched companies and began working in the shipyard in 2005, Tim and I saw far less of one another. Leaving the trade altogether and then moving to Australia meant I saw him even less. I was able to see Tim during a 2011 visit to the United States and I thank God for that opportunity. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up and rekindle our friendship at his home and meet his fiancee. It proved to be the last time I would see him in this life.
When people we love pass away it goads us to consider the lasting implications of eternity. King Solomon wrote of God in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." There is an uncanny sense in the human heart there is more to life than our time on earth. We wonder about what happens after we die, and the Bible reveals it is appointed for men once to die and then will face judgment by God (Hebrews 9:27). All secrets will be revealed in that day. My dear friend has entered eternity with two outcomes: he will face the justice of God as an unbeliever to be judged according to God's Law or be judged as a child of God to determine if he will gain reward or suffer loss. I am convinced Tim believed this to be true and his desire would be, in light of his passing, for all his friends and loved ones who remain to consider the implications of this as they live out their days on earth. Our souls will spend eternity in heaven or hell. It does man no good to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Only Jesus Christ can provide eternal life for souls.
How important it is to be born again through repentance and faith in Jesus! The reality of this decision will be evident in the life of a person, and God is a righteous judge. I know God loves Tim more than anyone on earth and has freely offered to forgive him of every sin and spend eternity with him in heavenly glory. How awesome is that? It is a terrible prospect to die alone, but God will never leave or forsake followers of Jesus. He will hold our hand all through this life and into eternity. Jude 1:24-25 says of our glorious Saviour, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. amen." To think our corruptible bodies will put on incorruption and our mortal bodies will one day be clothed in immortality! Instead of pain and sickness our bodies will be perfected and we will ever be in the presence of the LORD with exceeding joy. This has been my desire for Tim and for you too!
Rest in peace brother. I thank God for you, for the smiles, laughs, and friendship. You are missed.
Lamps are lit for the purpose of shining light, and the farmer sows seed ultimately for the purpose of bearing fruit. The farmer cannot see what is happening under the soil, and it would be disastrous for him to dig it up. Time would reveal the type of soil the seed was sown in by the growth and fruitfulness of the plant. When the Bible is sown into the hearts of people, the life of a person reveals their true character. Sometimes in this life the truth isn't clear to everyone. But a day unknown to us is coming when our bodies will die and our entire lives will be exposed before the holy God in heaven who will render to every man according to his works. What has been kept secret - good or bad - will be brought into the light.
These words hit me afresh as I consider the passing of my friend Tim Martinsen. We spent a year in school as apprentices together, and he worked as my apprentice for years following. I can honestly say we were friends. We quickly hit it off and enjoyed plenty of laughs, deep conversations, and experienced both fun and trying times together. He was a funny guy and I have many fond memories of him. It was a treasure to speak to Tim about things of God and celebrated his baptism in Mission Bay. After I switched companies and began working in the shipyard in 2005, Tim and I saw far less of one another. Leaving the trade altogether and then moving to Australia meant I saw him even less. I was able to see Tim during a 2011 visit to the United States and I thank God for that opportunity. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up and rekindle our friendship at his home and meet his fiancee. It proved to be the last time I would see him in this life.
When people we love pass away it goads us to consider the lasting implications of eternity. King Solomon wrote of God in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." There is an uncanny sense in the human heart there is more to life than our time on earth. We wonder about what happens after we die, and the Bible reveals it is appointed for men once to die and then will face judgment by God (Hebrews 9:27). All secrets will be revealed in that day. My dear friend has entered eternity with two outcomes: he will face the justice of God as an unbeliever to be judged according to God's Law or be judged as a child of God to determine if he will gain reward or suffer loss. I am convinced Tim believed this to be true and his desire would be, in light of his passing, for all his friends and loved ones who remain to consider the implications of this as they live out their days on earth. Our souls will spend eternity in heaven or hell. It does man no good to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Only Jesus Christ can provide eternal life for souls.
How important it is to be born again through repentance and faith in Jesus! The reality of this decision will be evident in the life of a person, and God is a righteous judge. I know God loves Tim more than anyone on earth and has freely offered to forgive him of every sin and spend eternity with him in heavenly glory. How awesome is that? It is a terrible prospect to die alone, but God will never leave or forsake followers of Jesus. He will hold our hand all through this life and into eternity. Jude 1:24-25 says of our glorious Saviour, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. amen." To think our corruptible bodies will put on incorruption and our mortal bodies will one day be clothed in immortality! Instead of pain and sickness our bodies will be perfected and we will ever be in the presence of the LORD with exceeding joy. This has been my desire for Tim and for you too!
Rest in peace brother. I thank God for you, for the smiles, laughs, and friendship. You are missed.
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