A Bag of Tools

John Clardy

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Louis L’Amour was one of the greatest western writers of all times.  I am an avid fan of Mr. L’Amour’s and I believe I have read and reread all of his books.  I don’t know of his religious persuasion, but he is one of my favorite theologians of plain, practical living.  You can find many nuggets of truth in his writings.  One such nugget is found in a historical novel entitled The Walking Drum.  Mr. L’Amour writes:  “Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him; then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be… Everyone has it within his power to say, this I am today, that I shall be tomorrow…”

Paul tells us that each of us must o work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  You and you alone are responsible for disciplining yourself so that you are blameless and without rebuke in this wicked generation. 

2 Tim 2:15        Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Each of us as individuals must present the finished product of our live unto God on Judgment Day.  Those that have become workers and craftsman that study and learn to rightly divide the Word of God in their life can stand before Him blameless.  They can expect to hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant...Those that ignore the Biblical blueprint that God has authorized cannot expect to be blameless and unashamed.  They can expect to hear Him say, “Depart from me you worker of iniquity…”

Regardless of one's age, the important thing is to choose wisely how we are going to live and for what purpose because the choices we make today will affect us, not only for the rest of this life, but for all eternity.

A Bag of Tools

By Roy L. Sharpe:

Isn't it strange
    That princes and kings,
    And clowns that caper
    In sawdust rings,
    And common people
    Like you and me
    Are builders for eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,
    A shapeless mass,
    A book of rules;
    And each must make –
    Ere life has flown –
    A stumbling block
    Or a stepping stone.

Each of us has been given "a bag of tools" and it's up to each of us how we use them; that is, how we invest the one life we have been entrusted with. That is the choice we are all called on to make and that choice will decide our eternal destination and reward. 

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." -- Eleanor Roosevelt