Ian Fleming, a British writer, especially noted for his many books based on James Bond, a fictional British secret service agent, working for MI6 under the codename: 007, once remarked: “You only live twice: Once when you are born, And once when you look death in the face.” Colossians 3:5-10 reminds us: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
Living twice is said to resemble a personal experience of two different lives. Each is distinct, and separate from the other, but eventuate consecutively. The primary is usually regarded as the rudimentary lifetime on earth, and commences at birth. This is followed, after an allotted period of time, when one moves on, after death, to a new life in heaven. However, a further feasible concept, is the possibility of two or more lives being experienced during one earthly existence. Just like a caterpillar naturally transforms into a moth or butterfly when the time is right, the first life could favour an initial timespan without God, where we wander in the wilderness without a specific purpose, and the second, when we accept Him into our life, and form a different “bond.” Thus, another life begins where we can fully spread and use the freedom of our freshly released wings.
Some devout Christians might disagree with this alternative lateral concept, in so much that they deem that there is only one life, to be lived as righteously as possible. It rather depends on ideology. They may believe that heaven is the final step of the first, rather than a second life. However, when a child is born, it is impossible to know of God or His existence. It takes time and knowledge which can be a slow or gradual process. Everybody in life experiences this stage whether they eventually become a Christian or not. The choice of acceptance or rejection always remains the final decision in every individual. Agnostics may also selfishly believe that you can only live once, and that life should be lived to the full, irrespective of any harm or damage that others may suffer. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 5:11 reminds us: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Right or wrong options exist in everyone’s life. We should deter from becoming complacent in our general attitudes. No one should feel superior to another, we are all equal in the sight of God. Galatians 3:28 confirms: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” A king is enthroned to serve his subjects, and should never attempt to become a ruler. An archbishop, even though he might have high standing in the church, still remains a servant of God. We are, but human, and can never be considered equal to the Almighty. Even Jesus did not regard Himself as a king or a ruler, but as a helper. Luke 18:9-14 reminds us: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Living twice might also be regarded as a second chance, graciously given by God. Everybody makes mistakes and may seek forgiveness. Once absolution has been granted, the slate is wiped clean and a fresh life can begin. No matter how many different lives we may be forced to lead on earth to effectively “get it right,” if the end goal is heaven aimed, and we achieve that, does it really matter how we get there? During Jesus’ time on earth, He performed several miracles. The miracles of Jesus changed people’s lives for the better. A new-found life was given to each, to allow for a future. These included cleansing of bodies, removing afflictions, curing diseases, bringing back to life from the dead, and the restoration of sight, to name but a few. The recorded incidents are countless. Kaya McLaren, an American author once remarked: “Miracles were just second chances if you really thought about it - second chances when all hope was lost.”
Whether God exists in our life or not, it does not harm to consider the plight of others. If it is generally believed that we can only live once, or conversely, accept the possibility that a second, or even more attempts are available for those who seek it, we should always bear in mind that whatever we do, can have a significant impact on many. We are not the only inhabitants in an earthly world, there are others also to take into consideration. Romans 12:1 confirms: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Amen.
