There is No App For That

We seem to live in what is known as the “i” generation. Not “I” as in life being all about “me” (although, it can be argued that we do). By “i,” we make reference to the Apple Corporation and the multitudes of products which the company provides beginning with i. One can download iTunes and have ready access to a conglomerate of music, movies, books, programs, and a number of other items. One can purchase the iPod, iPad, iMac, iTouch, or iPhone to take this program and others to full potential.

Apple even has a catchy slogan to go with these products. Whatever the need an individual has, “There’s an app for that.” No matter the need a user has there is some application one can purchase to make that need more manageable. If one finds oneself bored, there are a multitude of games to download. If one is a Diabetic, there are programs with diabetic friendly recipes and answers to questions. One can even find a program which will help one split a bill, calculate tips, and so on. These are just some examples of the number of “apps” one can use with these products to make life easier. Truly, when one looks at these apps, it truly seems that there is an “app” to make one’s physical life easier. But are there any apps to make one’s spiritual life simpler?

Is there an app which will be obedient for me? If there is one thing which is taught in the Holy Scripture, it is, that in terms of obedience, man has a personal responsibility. On the Day of Pentecost, the masses cried out to the apostles. They just heard Peter quote Joel concerning salvation, were notified that each was responsible for the death of “Jesus, whom ye have crucified,” and were told that God had made Him, “both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:16-36). With this knowledge, these Jews, grief stricken, cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Considering the statements concerning salvation and sin, these Jews essentially asked, “What must we do to be saved?” There is personal responsibility concerning obedience our obedience to God. Someone could try to make a program but in the end it will not matter. No program will obey the gospel of Christ (Hear God’s Word [Romans 10:17], Believe that Word [Hebrews 11:6], Repent of My Sins [Acts 17:30], Confess Jesus as the Christ {Acts 2:37], and Be Baptized [Mark 16:16]) for me. No program will be faithful until death for me. No matter how technical the line of code, it will not perform the actions God demands of a Christian (Study [2 Timothy 2:15], Benevolence [Galatians 6:10], Defense for the Gospel [1 Peter 3:15], etc.) Man is responsible for all of these things. In the end, there is no app for that.

Is there an app which will judge us in the end? It has been noted that man has a personal responsibility to obey God. What if a man does not obey God? Can he simply download a program to sway judgment in his favor? Not according to God’s Word. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). There will come a time when mankind stands before the Christ in judgment and He will lay bare that which is in our hearts. He will be the ultimate judge (John 5:22), not a program. Man will receive the due reward for either his faithfulness to or rebellion against God. If I have done nothing but good (according to what God and NOT the world calls good) I will receive the greatest reward – an eternity in Heaven. If we have done more bad than good (again, in accordance with God’s Word) I will receive the worst reward – eternal hellfire. As Christ will be the judge, there is no app for that.