The flight
For today’s exhortation, I am going to ask you to remember your own experiences during any commercial flight these days.
When you take a flight, your baggage is subject to inspection, which might make us recall the episode in Genesis when Jacob and his family leave, but Laban and his men come after them. Laban demands he be allowed to inspect all of Jacob’s stuff and all the stuff of his household, and unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel has carried away her family’s idols. This is an event full of drama… especially, if carrying some contraband… secretly stowed away. We need to be careful what stuff we are carrying around when it comes time to be inspected. The Psalmist implores:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way ever lasting” (Psa 139:23-24).
Jeremiah instructs the people of God: “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD” (Lam 3:40).
He also reminds us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I [The LORD] search[es] the heart, I [He will] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer 17:9-10).
To begin our journey, to actually get on board, you need a boarding pass. Somewhat like baptism, which is needed to become “in Christ”. Once on board, at least on Southwest Airlines, it is open seating, no first class, everyone is treated equally. Scriptural, in our life in the Truth, we too should not be a respecter of persons. That is to say, there is no class distinction, or at least there shouldn’t be.
Next, one of the first things done as you ready to pull away from the gate: the flight attendant, who is familiar with the aircraft and the trip that you will be taking, provides you with instructions. Now, those that are frequent fliers have heard it all before, and by now are not listening to what is being said. Just look about you during the pre flight instructions: most passengers do not bother to pay attention, let alone pull out the safety card and thoroughly inspect it. This card summarizes the flight attendant’s pre-flight instructions. It has a list of instructions that we will now review.
For your safety, follow instructions, and study the contents of this card
Like this card, we have been given the Bible, which is full of instruction, yet few actually study the content of this card, especially, if a prior passenger has taken it for their sole possession. Likewise, God’s Word is something that we should share with others. God’s Word is not something we should hoard away like some precious object, kept secret, safely locked away from prying eyes as if it were something that can be taken from us. Ironically, in this instance, the more we share the more we gain, and it is important that we pass on this life saving information to others. It should be shared and NOT something kept solely to ourselves. Paul instructs Timothy and us: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine: continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:16). It’s important that we share God’s treasured Word. God’s Word is something that we are to search for as a hidden treasure and even be willing to sell all to acquire it — as if it were a pearl of great price. However, it is NOT something we should keep to ourselves, but something to share. Something that we should be sure we make available for other passengers on life’s journey.
Learn the location of All exits on this aircraft
Now, if the aircraft were to represent the Ecclesia, being in the plane would be a good thing and during the flight whatever you do, you do NOT want to exit the airplane. You would want to be on board when arriving at the final destination. Anyone ever missed a flight? I’ve come close. It is a horrible feeling when the gang way door is shut and you wanted to be on the other side. We should be reminded of the parable of the 10 virgins: when the door was shut, no amount of knocking got it to open again. Now, if you miss a scheduled flight, it may be a hassle and costly inconvenience, but at least you can always catch another, eventually. With the impending return of Christ, this will NOT be the case.
If the airplane were to represent the World, in the event of a crash or pending emergency situation, looking for a way out would be the appropriate course of action. During the preflight instructions, you are told that you should look for the location of the nearest exit to where you are seated. During your travels, you should know the location of the nearest exit, remembering that it may be behind you (i.e. you may need to turn around), and you should have an exit strategy in advance of the need. We need to always look for and to find a way of escape. Paul tells us
“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry… The cup of blessing which we bless, Is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, Is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1Cor 10:11-16).
We are all condemned to death if we do not find the way out of that condemnation. Being in Christ becomes our way of escape. We need to know where this door is and we need to know how to open it. If you are seated in a row that has a way of escape you take on a responsibility. A responsibility to make sure the exit is accessible, and also the responsibility to assist others so that they too can exit the stricken aircraft.
Comply with all signs and placards
We are given warning signs, and plenty of safety instructions to which we are to comply. Comply is an interesting word… for our own safety and salvation, we need to comply! It is not enough to know; one must also do. You must understand the dangers and avoid doing something that not only puts your life in jeopardy, but also the lives of those around us. The card reads “Keep your seatbelt fastened while seated”. This is especially important if there are unexpected bumps along the way. Many flights encounter turbulence as does our course in life. “In the event that the plane should encounter a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling above.” You are instructed to save yourself first, and then assist those with whom you might be traveling who require assistance. At first, this may sound somewhat selfish; however, is really also in the best interest of your loved ones who you may be need to assist. Although Scripturally, we should esteem our brethren better than ourselves, we need take the necessary action for procuring our own the salvation, and then we are better equipped to assist those that are also in need.
Turn off all portable electronic devices before take-offs and landings
The next few items, which actually appear on the card, just go to show you how litigious our society has become.
“The following MAY BE operated at all times: Electronic watches.” We need to be aware of the time and the time is short, as the return of Christ is nearer now than when it was before. Hearing aids. I can just hear someone’s defense now: “After the instruction to turn off all electronic devices, I did not hear any other instructions.” Scripture warns us: “those that have ears to hear, let them hear”, and “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” The last electronic device listed that can remain on: Pacemakers. Yes, it reminds us that the time to listen and the time to act is while our heart is still beating, for there is no consciousness in the sleep of death. But there will come a time at the return of Christ when the dead will arise, and at the judgment seat of Christ, we will be asked to give account of your actions, whether good or bad.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, you are NOT to take your baggage with you
“And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; [ When we consider the depravity occurring in Sodom and Gomorrah, we may be
lulled into thinking that we are NOT headed to such destruction. Again if we are not careful, we too may do nothing more than eat, drink, buy, sell, plant, and build… to the exclusion of God in our lives.] “But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. [Remember that stuff should be left behind?] Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:22-33).
We now come to the emblems on the table before for us. With these emblems, we remember an individual who accomplished all this and much more. We remember the life, death, and the triumphant resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Until the long awaited coming of our now absent Lord, we must continue on life’s journey that remains before for us. We pray God’s blessings will sustain us on that journey yet ahead. May we seek His guidance ever and avail ourselves of the help provided, while assisting those, like us, that journey toward His kingdom. May we consider our ways, doing all to the honor and glory of our Heavenly Father. May we heed instructions warning words; especially when those instructions are placed there to both warn and save.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One