Steve Jobs, one of the most visionary Americans of his industry and the co-founder of Apple computers, died Wednesday. He was 56 years old. Apple released a statement Wednesday night saying they had "lost a visionary and creative genius" and "his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."
Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. In 2005, following a bout with cancer, Jobs delivered Stanford University's commencement speech.
He said, "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," he said. "Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important."
That is a powerful statement. ... "these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important". The question is "What was 'truly important' to Steve Jobs and more importantly, what is 'truly important' to you?"
Success and money were truly important to Steve Jobs. Forbes magazine estimated Steve Jobs net wealth at $8.3 billion in 2010, making him the 42nd wealthiest American.
Family was truly important to Steve Jobs. He has left behind a wife, a son, and three daughters (one from a previous relationship). His family said, "He was a great family man".
Religion was truly important to Steve Jobs. He was a professing Buddhist and married by a Zen Buddhist.
However, in the face of death, truth did not seem truly important to Steve Jobs (although we don't know what happened in his final moments).
Is the Truth truly important to you? When you stare death in the face will the Truth be what's truly important to you? You see, the Truth will set you free. Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." Most professing Buddhists do not believe Jesus is God's son, nor do they believe there is any God at all.
The real cause of death for Steve Jobs was not cancer, but sin. The wages of sin is death. The truth is that Steve Jobs was a sinner in need of a Savior. The truth is that death has come into the world because of sin. Steve Jobs was born a sinner in need of a Savior. The truth is that you were born a sinner and are in need of that same Savior. His name is not Buddha, but Jesus Christ.
In the face of death, Steve Jobs should have been worried about what is truly important. Steve should have been worried about his eternal soul that will never die, but rather live in one of two places of eternity forever. Steve Jobs should have been worried about heaven and hell? In fact, right now you should consider what's truly important, because you don't know when the moment will be when you will face your own death. You have an eternal soul and it is appointed for you to die once and then face the judgment of Almighty God. You will not be judged according to Buddha's standard, your standard or Steve Jobs' standard, but according to God's Holy standard.
God's standard of judgment is His Ten Commandments. You are probably familiar with them. If you were to die today would you be innocent or guilty of breaking God's commands?
How many lies have you told in your life time? The 9th Commandment says "Do not lie". The bible says all liars will have their part in the lake of fire (hell).
Have you ever taken something that didn't belong to you? The 8th commandment says "Do not steal". The bible says that no thief will enter into the kingdom of heaven.
God is Holy, Righteous and Just. He cannot and will not overlook your sins on the Day of Judgment. In fact, God's judgment of you will be so thorough that He will see the thoughts and the intentions of your heart.
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." That means every time you have looked with lust, even at the sinful pictures on the computer or iPhone screen that Steve Jobs created, you have broken the 7th Commandment that says "Do not commit adultery".
Jesus went on to say, "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell."
Do you understand how serious and thorough the judgment of God will be concerning your sin ?
Steve Jobs said, "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life,"
The most important choice Steve Jobs could have ever made in life would have been to turn from his sins and to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of his life (again we don't know what happened in his final moments). The most important choice you will ever face in life is to turn from your sins and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "he who believes in Me will live even if he dies."
2000 years ago, God perfectly showed His justice and mercy to all the world. Jesus Christ lived a perfectly holy life. He never sinned. He never broke God's Laws like us. In fact, God came in the flesh that He might declare Law breakers like me, you and Steve Jobs, NOT GUILTY on the Day we all stand before Him. Jesus died, was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead. Jesus Christ defeated sin, death and the grave.
The real cause of Steve Jobs death will be the real cause of your death too. You are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Ignorance will be no excuse on the Day of Judgment. Buddha cannot save your soul. You don't want God's thorough justice and you do not want to spend eternity in hell. You need the mercy of God that is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Please turn from your sins and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Cry out for mercy to the Only One who can satisfy God's justice on your behalf. Jesus Christ The Righteous One. He will forgive your sins, remove your guilt, give you peace and joy like you have never known and present you faultless on judgment day by grace through faith in Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Please turn to Christ today, He will save your soul and give you eternal life in heaven with Him forever.
Steve Jobs is dead. You still have time to turn to Christ right now. Don't wait until it's too late.
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