A lot of items we buy come with expiration dates. Some will say: Safe to use by: Best if used by: Use before: etc. These are dates chosen by manufacturers to track freshness and usability. While a carton of milk doesn’t know when its time is up, it can last upwards of 2 weeks beyond its expiration date with freshness depending on fridge temp.
Now, I know there are people that go bonkers when something in their fridge is about to expire. They begin “sweatin’ bullets.” Their noses become vacuum cleaners sniffing out any potential bad odors waving their hands upwards as they say, ‘Come on baby, give me that already- going-bad smell.’ They’ll serve themselves a large chunk of cake or pack of Oreos (which they’ve been eyeing for two days anyways), and they’ll down it with all the milk they can. Of course, they’ll have a sad face available if needed to justify themselves. Afterall, someone’s got to save the world… Actually, the dates are just guidelines. Most items can remain on shelves longer than the shown dates. If you want ultimate freshness in your meat, hunt, skin it, dress it and eat it the same day.
You and I were born (or hatched, if you believe you evolved from Mother Goose), with and expiration date. It isn’t stamped on our foreheads, but within our hearts and lives-or eggshells. This expiration isn’t based on our heights, race, creed, or age. Only God, the Creator, knows each date. So, what happens when we expire? We drop dead. We all know that, but that’s not the issue. The Angel of Death knows where to take us; to its abode where darkness permeates the abyss. Upon expiration, there’s no second chance to change your course. You will either suffer separated from God or smell of freshness and victory in His presence. If we’re “Rescued” before our death date, God’s angels will guide us to His eternal abode: heaven.
So, what does your expiration date show? That you expire in two days, three years, a decade? Will you remain on a shelf? Are funny smells emitting from you? Will you go bonkers sweatin’ bullets eating everything around the house? Will you get high, go womanizing, spend your money, or will you do good? Maybe you’ll help those in need, or will you sit on a shelf and cry? After all, you will be meeting with Jesus who’ll be judging your life.
Will you get saved? In that case, there’s no death-expiration! As your internal clock winds down and takes its last tick, it’ll tick anew in heaven in fullness of life with Jesus and will never die again!
Satan thought Jesus had an expiration date. He tried advancing His death. He figured Jesus would rot in hell where he, Satan, lived, and that He had been defeated. But one of life’s greatest mystery was to unfold! Unbeknown to the world, Satan, and his demonic hosts, Death could not hold Jesus down! He laid down His life and took it up again (John 10:18)! He sits at the right hand of the Father praying for us daily! You might be far past your expiration date (woo!) and beginning to show foul smells, but Jesus is allowing you those extra days to choose Him! When we do, we’re like prefume! “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and by those who are perishing” (2Corinthians 2:15). You can become sweet-smelling in Christ, for Christ. Choose NOW before you expire! Tick, tick, tick…
God Bless!
Sam