Mark Twain will live again
Today marks the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death, April 21, 1910. He was 74 when he passed. A man wracked with failing health and a heavy smoking addiction, Twain lived his life in a manner that is common among those who are without the knowledge of God’s truth and way of life. He did what was right in his own eyes. That being said, he did contribute to the world of literature, and with impressive drive and diligence examining the stature and reknown he enjoyed during his life, not to mention that which his memory still enjoys, through his literary efforts.
Twain said that people arrive at their religion and politics “second hand and without examination.” In many instances that is a true statement. Mankind as a whole follows the core understanding and leanings of their parents or the environment they grow up in without really taking a long hard look at what it is that they truly believe. They just live life in whatever way seems right to them, never stopping to think whether what they believe is based on truth.
Twain said something else that gives me pause to think. He said, “an uneasy conscience is a hair in the mouth.” This simple, yet profound statement reminds me of the importance of maintaining a clear and honorable conscience before God, something that is important if we are to fulfill our full potential in this life. How much time is wasted simply because we fail to continue steadfastly in the direction of God’s kingdom, His laws, and His whole way of life? A seared conscience can do us great harm.
The Apostle Paul, in speaking to the brethren at Corinth, stated, “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God…” Mark Twain will live again. At the time of the White Throne Judgment, after the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ, he will stand up again in the human flesh to have his first real opportunity at salvation.
He will, at this point, live not according to “fleshly wisdom” but according to the abundant life, in simplicity – singleness of approach, and with sincerity – a pure attitude of love and service to God and man. Not according to the self-willed, Satan-influenced, human nature that he was just naturally motivated by, just as every human being who has ever lived, except Jesus Christ, has been since the time of the Garden of Eden.
The way of life that God wants for every human being is a life based on the spiritual law of God, summarized in the Ten Commandments. “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). The purpose of the commandment is love. Jesus Christ said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Paul wrote in Romans 13:10, “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Love from a good conscience and from sincere faith. Why do so many professing Christians teach that the law has been done away when scripture plainly teaches that if we keep the law, we accomplishing love, and we know that God is love. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). Those who refuse the keeping of the commandments do not know God, therefore, we need to keep the commandments. But how can we do this?
The only way that we can keep God’s holy and spiritual law is through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God promises His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. We see this in Acts 5:32, “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Obedience is a requirement for salvation. God will not give His Spirit to anyone that He does not rule. Mankind will have to come under the rule of God voluntarily, but each one in his own time, according to the will and purpose of God. Mark Twain was not called by God and did not have the Holy Spirit, but there is coming a time when he will have his first real, genuine chance at salvation. A real chance to prove to God that he will obey and keep God’s holy righteous law.
If we stay true to the way of life that God has called us to, maintaining a pure conscience and living life in simplicity and sincerity, then we will be there to teach Mark Twain the way of life that we have had our minds opened to understand. Today, let’s be thankful for the blessing of God’s revealed truth, and His perfect law of liberty.
