Epitaph

LOS ANGELES –  Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday night. She was 48. For more information, click on the provided link entitled “Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48“.

Some of Houston’s accomplishments are listed below:

• Whitney Houston (1985)

• Whitney (1987)

• I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990)

• My Love Is Your Love (1998)

• Just Whitney (2002)

• One Wish: The Holiday Album (2003)

• I Look to You (2009)

• The Greatest Love World Tour (1986)

• Moment of Truth World Tour (1987–88)

• I’m Your Baby Tonight World Tour (1991)

• The Bodyguard World Tour (1993–94)

• My Love Is Your Love World Tour (1999)

• Nothing But Love World Tour (2010)

• Feels So Right Tour (1990)

• Pacific Rim Tour (1997)

• The European Tour (1998)

• Soul Divas Tour (2004)

• Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988)

• Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston (1991)

• The Concert for a New South Africa (1994)

• Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C. (1997)

 And these are just a few of this great entertainer’s accomplishments. Whitney Houston is indeed the embodiment of the American dream, since her accomplishments are of high value to this world. But what are Houston’s accomplishments worth before Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead for their works? What does God say of this woman who has captured the hearts of many, thus gaining the world as yet another American Idol? What is the “epitaph” of Jesus Christ for Whitney Houston?

Mark 8

35    “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
36    For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37    Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38    Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus said that Houston saved her life, and refused to obey his gospel that could have saved her soul. And instead, she gained the whole world and lost her soul. Jesus said that Houston was ashamed of him and his teachings, and would rather have the praise of the people of this world who are marked for destruction. Finally, Jesus said that he is ashamed of Whitney Houston and her accomplishments.

Why???

Because Jesus Christ calls everyone to turn from their sins, to stop loving this sinful world, to put their trust in him, and to obey all that he has taught us. Jesus calls mankind to holiness, without which no one will see the Lord and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. So let this be a warning to you.

1John 2

1    My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2    And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3    And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5    But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
15    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16    For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.