MrWonder's Bible Chat

The first time I read this question, "Is life worth living?" I smiled like you probably did and said, "Certainly it is." But as I pondered, I became serious, and various scenes vividly appeared and passed before me as in panoramic view.

1. I saw those in high positions living only for the honors, display and applause of this world, and for a moment I almost envied them, when suddenly I heard Queen Elizabeth wail out the famous expiring cry, "Millions of money for an inch of time!" I said, "Such a life is not worth living."

2. The scene was changed. I viewed multitudes forgetting God and living only to become rich. Many failed in the race, but others succeeded and lived in luxury, ease, and wealth, like those Asaph ignorantly envied ( Ps 73:1-28 ). Life seemed to some a struggle, to others a joy; but when I heard one of the richest, when dying, exclaim, "The harvest is past, and I am not saved," I pitied them all, and said, "Such lives are not worth living."

3. The scene was changed. Sceptics of all classes, from the polite agnostic to the blatant infidel and atheist, passed before me. I saw their smile at Christians, I heard their laughter and ridicule of the Bible and sacred things; and appearing to be without a care, their life seemed pleasant; but as I gazed, old "Father Time," with scythe in hand drew near, and the laugh was turned on the other side of the face, as Voltaire in despair cried, "I am taking a leap in the dark." I sighed and said, "Life is not worth living, if a person is a sceptic."

4. The scene was changed. I beheld a great host of noble-looking men and women, who claimed to be moralists. They frequently spoke about "hypocrites in the church," and I heard their flippant remarks, "I will stand as good a chance as your professing Christians; I would not do what many of them do." As their characters seemed so admirable, and their minds so complacent, such a life appeared desirable, till the Holy Spirit whispered, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" A moment later I stood by the death-bed of one of the best of them, and heard his last expiring lament, "I have missed the salvation of my soul." As I bowed my head, I silently said, "If only a moralist, life is not worth living."

5. The scene was changed. Great throngs of persons of all ages, fairly dazzled my eyes as they glided along; but it was evident, though some were church members, that they were "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." I saw them in the bars, at the casinos, around the card-table, reading trashy novels, siping their wine; and so, with laughter and song, they glided on saying, "Let us eat, drink, dress, and be merry." Siren voices rang out: "Magnificent!" "Most delightful!" "brilliant!" "perfectly lovely!" and bade me join the throng. Just then I heard the voice of one of the former happy members, as, while death was feeling for her heart-strings, and worldly pleasure appeared in the light of eternity, she breathed out her anguish of spirit, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." I said, "Deliver me from such a life, for it is not worth living."

6. The scene was changed. I saw a motley crowd. Some were drinking and swearing, others were gambling and horse-racing, many were seeking to get money by selling drugs, grinding the poor, and other means, caring not though it be the price of blood; while not a few were living for "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." My whole being loathed such a life, and yet I pitied the victims, and especially so as I heard one remorsefully cry, "Gather up my influence and bury it with me." I thought, "Better had they never been born."

7. The scene was changed. A mighty host of men, women, children, and youth appeared before me, and I said, "Who are these?" The answer came, "These are Christians; they are not without their faults, but yet they are accepted in the Beloved, the children of the King." I found myself one of the joyous company. As we journeyed we sang, "O happy day," and Beulah land," and I felt, "This life is worth living, even if earth was all." I said, "Let me live the life of a Christian, die his death, and dwell with the righteous and the Lord forever."

This world and the next are before us. God gives us life as a precious heritage. How will you use it? What is your ideal of life? Some have no ideal, others have an unworthy one. Let yours be "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

So live that you shall be honored and beloved by your family, the Church, the poor, and all who know you. A man died, and a stranger at the grave, questioning the grave-digger, asked, "What was the complaint?" He intelligently replied, "There was no complaint - everybody is satisfied."

Is life worth living? Not if, when we are gone, people are satisfied. Live so as to be remembered.

Live for time and eternity, for earth and heaven. Do your duty to God and man. Be ready to live or die. Be the best Christian you know how to be. Let us so carry out God's design in our creation and redemption, that on earth and in heaven, we may know and rejoice that LIFE IS WORTH LIVING.

Brother Love