Another celebrity passed away and his unexpected death made the headlines. It’s the kind of story the media loves, a troubled man, made famous by a popular television program, along with a suspicious manner of death. Tributes will come in for days and reporters are scrambling for another headline before the public lose interest. Even his “inconclusive” official cause of death was reported, as the world awaits more details. That he died in his hot tub, which is attached to his pool added mystery to the story. How can this story draw such attention even as world-changing events unfold around the globe?
The answer isn’t new. According to most of the world, the man had it all! He had fame, fortune, belonged to a famous family, owned a beautiful home, and anything anyone would want. Like other famous people, he died doing what regular people can only dream of. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a hot tub attached to my pool or know anyone who does! The investigation continues into his cause of death, but you can be sure it’s related to his lifestyle. By now it should be obvious that he didn’t really have it all.
Why dig up the man’s dirty laundry and criticize his life? I don’t know the man or his heart, but I am trying to wake people up before they end up like he did. Even as these tragedies continue to happen, people still idolize celebrities and seek after the life that led to their death! The thief, who “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 KJV) will gladly feed their lusts until it kills them! Most people will never become rich or famous or have “everything” like their idols, so what’s the problem with wanting the good things in life? If they were truly good, there wouldn’t be a problem. Their idols are drawing them away from GOD and to certain destruction!
How can you say that following celebrities leads to certain destruction? JESUS said the most important commandments are “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37 and 39 KJV) and idol worship breaks both. Then there are the commandments they break while pursuing their idols! The Bible says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5) because that is sin!
What am I supposed to do? JESUS said, “there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (Mat 19:17 KJV) and that points you back to “love GOD” and “love your neighbor” (Mat 22:37 and 39) and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 KJV).
Why do you keep referring to the Bible? That is where the answers are! What gives GOD the right to set the standards and punish sinners? Because He is GOD and “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Follow GOD because He loves you!
Wayne Lance (2023) – That’s Good News to Share!