Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
Human honor and prosperity do not last, and they do not keep a person from perishing like the beasts. A person in honor who lives only for self, as though there were no God or future life, is like an animal that perishes. His self-focused aims are no higher than theirs.
Although those in honor possess souls so precious that the Son of God gave His life to ransom them, they become like the beasts that perish when they live without thought of God or heaven. A life spent only in bodily or selfish satisfaction is like the life of beasts that perish. That godless condition means neglecting morning and evening worship, having no time to spend a few moments in thanksgiving to God for abundant mercies, for blessed sunshine and showers of rain causing vegetation to flourish and for the guardianship of holy angels. It means having no time to offer prayer for divine help and guidance and for the abiding presence of Jesus in the household, and going forth to labor as the ox or the horse goes, showing little more appreciation of His great goodness than the beasts that perish.
It is exemplified by treating possessions as one's own and owing nothing to God or other people. In contrast, human beings are not to live merely for animal satisfaction, but for God and heaven, using every power for His glory and reaching the holy life made possible through Christ.
Indulgence in drink and tobacco lowers men and women from their honored standing till they are on the level of perishing beasts, even below that level. The drunkard and the tobacco-devotee in that fallen state are to be won back to stand on God's side by labor in faith, with strengthening and encouraging words, holding out hope and lifting them up as Christ lifts the erring, trembling one who struggles with evil and comes to Him.
Human honor and prosperity do not last, and they do not keep a person from perishing like the beasts. A person in honor who lives only for self, as though there were no God or future life, is like an animal that perishes. His self-focused aims are no higher than theirs.
Although those in honor possess souls so precious that the Son of God gave His life to ransom them, they become like the beasts that perish when they live without thought of God or heaven. A life spent only in bodily or selfish satisfaction is like the life of beasts that perish. That godless condition means neglecting morning and evening worship, having no time to spend a few moments in thanksgiving to God for abundant mercies, for blessed sunshine and showers of rain causing vegetation to flourish and for the guardianship of holy angels. It means having no time to offer prayer for divine help and guidance and for the abiding presence of Jesus in the household, and going forth to labor as the ox or the horse goes, showing little more appreciation of His great goodness than the beasts that perish.
It is exemplified by treating possessions as one's own and owing nothing to God or other people. In contrast, human beings are not to live merely for animal satisfaction, but for God and heaven, using every power for His glory and reaching the holy life made possible through Christ.
Indulgence in drink and tobacco lowers men and women from their honored standing till they are on the level of perishing beasts, even below that level. The drunkard and the tobacco-devotee in that fallen state are to be won back to stand on God's side by labor in faith, with strengthening and encouraging words, holding out hope and lifting them up as Christ lifts the erring, trembling one who struggles with evil and comes to Him.