During our adult lives we fumble with the past, present and future. We wonder about the past and how the contradictions, the transitions, the truths, the human conditions were managed. We worry about the future when we analyze present movements, fads, fables, and failures/successes pressing their attention upon us through daily news reports about current generations. Our own observations of conduct from those we care about sometimes trouble us. In all, we do our best in grasping the concept that we must give primary account for what we believe and do in our own generation. Other generations and cultures are too much for us. We relate to our time period.
Our only duty to the past is to learn from it so that we evade the wrong and grasp the right for our own thinking, faith and conduct. Our only duty to the future is to present an example so that future generations can see more clearly what the past offers them for choices they must make. We cannot make those actual choices, but we would like to prepare progeny to make the better ones. To do so is the most important thing we can do for the future of those we love, and those who consider our values and behavior. Most important is that I give first and best to my own generation, so to cast a good model for any future attention it may gain for faith and conduct.
The text in Acts 13 is in the context of death. It becomes more of an issue to those who, now closer to death, care most about their legacies. The writer makes it clear that mortality has its end – decay. The scenario is unattractive for mankind, except that there is a special provision, affirmed by the fathers (past), that there is one person who did not decay. There is opportunity for those subject to decay to relate to the one who saw no decay in himself – so to resurrection. That projection of immortality is mind boggling. Paul quoted from Habakkuk on it: you would never believe, even if someone told you. (1:5) One of the virtual miracles, and it is virtually a miracle, is that we have believed in the finished work of Jesus Christ that purchased immortality for those who insist they will believe on him for acquisition of life. There are those who seem unable to believe in the miracle of spiritual faith. Not believing it possible, they do not engage to seek it.
Ol’ folks need to believe their main duty rests in their own generation. If they are wise, they have learned from the past. If they are caring they both pray for present life and offer an example for their own and future generations. And, that’s all there is for earth consequence. That is enough. It is all God expects of us. Our thoughts go to the other shore, and rightly so. In this, God finds us faithful. Our gratification is not in our wealth, in fame, in power, in competency, or any other point than this – that we be found faithful in our own time. We know faithfulness is guided from Scripture, using thought and life experience to achieve that primary purpose.
Errors of generations past have often been identified – even though they are often forgotten. We of our generation are not immune from similar embarrassment. But we also note good things we have done, perhaps identifying negative things we deplore. We regret failure and ask forgiveness, but we also firmly challenge future generations to remember the good and be warned about giving up the eternal good in the name of progress or change. This is my privilege and duty, to advance that which touches immortal truth and life. Heaven’s values are not material. Materialism, so important to earth subsistence, is useless yonder. There is no need. If the substances of earth are remembered at all, they will be memories of trash (no continuing value). *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020