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Life Is a Vapor

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“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” 
(James 4:14 NKJV)

“God has wisely left us in the dark concerning future events, and even concerning the duration of life itself.

We know not what shall be on the morrow. We may know what we intend to do and to be, but a thousand things may happen to prevent us. We are not sure of life itself, since it is but as a vapour, something in appearance, but nothing solid nor certain, easily scattered and gone.

We can fix the hour and minute of the sun’s rising and setting tomorrow, but we cannot fix the certain time of a vapour’s being scattered. Such is our life: it appears but for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

It vanisheth as to this world, but there is a life that will continue in the other world. And, since this life is so uncertain, it concerns us all to prepare and lay up in store for that which is to come.”

–Matthew Henry, adapted from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (available at the BLB)

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Comments

  1. An excellent verse to use in your everyday speaking with people about Christ. The brevity of life, now who can argue with that? This can open a door for you to share how you were saved then communicate to someone else Jesus died for them. Then leave it to the Holy Spirit. We are co-labourers. Give your testimony to someone today.

    • I commented on yesterday’s post that we are in agreement, and I can say the same for today’s. Two for two!

      I don’t know if you will read yesterday’s comments, but I wrote that I have responded to your last post to me.

  2. Amen, Frank!
    Chris, I love your blogs!
    Thank you for the scripture and the reminder that my life is a vapor, but I have been found by Jesus and it is my purpose in life to serve Him.

    Another glorious, rainy, grey, cold day in Portland, Oregon!
    love, Debi

  3. I love that verse. Such a reminder of who we are, and how our Mighty God loves us. Our life is a vapor, and get His son Jesus Christ died for us.

  4. Life is a vapor in God’s timetable. But He does call us each moment, which is a gift, to serve His Son, and to tell His Story and however long this life lasts, to go and make disciples in His name.. Not to worry how long this life may be. A very thought provoking commentary, one that much younger people as well as older ones should read.. Young people do seldom think of life as being brief in the whole scheme of things!

  5. James 4:12
    There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy
    Who art thou that judgest another

    James 4:13
    Go to now you that say today or tomorrow we will go into such a city and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain

    James 4:14
    Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow for what is your life it is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away

    James 4:15
    For that you ought to say IF THE LORD will we shall live and do this or that

    James 4:16
    But now you rejoice in your boastings all such rejoicing is evil

    James 4:17
    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin

    Matthew 10:28
    And fear not them which can kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear HIM which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell

    John 12:47
    And if any man hear MY words and believe not I judge him not
    for I came not to judge the world but to save the world

    John 12:48
    He that rejecteth ME and receiveth not MY words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day

    Romans 2:5
    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of GOD

    Romans 2:6
    WHO WILL RENDER TO —-EVERY MAN—-ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS

    James 1:11
    For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat but it withereth the grass and the flower thereof falleth and —THE GRACE— of the fashion of it perisheth so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways

    1 Peter 1:24
    FOR ALL THE FLESH IS AS GRASS AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF GRASS THE GRASS WITHERETH AND THE FLOWER THEREOF FALLETH AWAY

    1 Peter 1:25
    BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOREVER
    And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you

    Isaiah 40:7
    The grass withereth the flower fadeth because
    THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD BLOWETH UPON IT surely the people is grass

    LOVING THE LORD

  6. I agree with Mr. Zimmerman. Life can be very short and we do not know how much time we have in this life. I feel that the time our Lord has given us should be used to promote the kingdom of God and preach the Gospel. If we truly believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that he gave us the ‘Great Commission’ to tell others, then if we love Him we will do as He commands. I am not a brave evangelist and go about with a Bible under my arm, but I was able to talk about my Lord with another woman in the waiting room of our cancer radiation treatment place. I also had a pocket size book of John with me that I took from the church table on Sunday to keep in my purse. The Spirit led me to share with that woman and she accepted the booklet. You never know who or when the Lord may lead you to share the Gospel.
    I would encourage you, my brothers and sisters, the the world will come to an end and all will see His coming. What have you got to lose by sharing eternal life and the love of our Savior?

    • Now that blessed my soul Ms Linda. That is what its all about. You know if we walk in the Spirit our verbal witness seems to always come out at some time. Not that we PREACH to everyone but little things like you did. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. God bless FZ We are simply to be sowers of the seed.

  8. Mathew there is always time to study. Actually we need to do alot more. I am extremely thankful to men who have spent many an hour studying the original languages. Thats why I, who only know English at this point (but am working on Greek alittle) have a copy of the word of God.
    John 17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”.
    I must confess, I really like the helps that are available on the BLB it has helped my study greatly.