Steve Irwin

Tonight we watched Steve Irwin’s funeral. It was very hard to watch, as we have watched him for the last 8 years. Hannah, Rachel, and Caroline can hardly remember when he wasn’t in their lives. And in their lives he was, especially Rachel's. She loves animals greatly, and Steve influenced that side of her. At our house we don’t kill spiders; we do “catch and release” programs. The only animals that are fair game (and Rachel would even debate one on this list) are rats, roaches, fire ants, and mosquitoes. Other than that, we pretty well co-exist. If it’s a creature we don’t want in the house, we “catch and release.”

His funeral brought about many discussions. One of the questions that was raised was, “Do they think just because he was a "good person" he will go to heaven?” Because of our evangelism ministry, our girls are very familiar with the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18. When the man called Jesus good, this is what Christ said to him in verse 19-20:

So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,' "Do not steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Honor your father and your mother.'"

The girls know that being “good” won’t get you into heaven. Only trust in Christ and Godly repentance will allow you to enter into His kingdom. Sadly, most professing “Christians” couldn’t even tell you what’s required by God for you to enter into Heaven. We know; we’ve asked many of them. They will tell you that they are pretty good people, and they feel God will overlook their sin. If you go here, you will get a better explanation of what God’s view of being good is and what is required by Him.

Another thing that struck me was something Steve said in an interview, “We do what we love.” He was talking about wildlife and conservation, but it brings about a question to mind for Christians. Are we doing what we love? Did you ever see how Steve would show compassion and heartbreak over the mistreatment of an animal? That is one of the many things that endeared him to the world: he showed his heart without reservation. As Christians we are supposed to be heartbroken over the thought of one person going to hell. Yet we all walk by dozens of people every day who are headed there and we do or say nothing. I myself am guilty. I personally don’t believe Steve had a saving knowledge of Christ (there is no evidence that he did); therefore that means he will spend eternity in hell. A place of everlasting torment. That should break our hearts!!! It does mine. God can use this in our lives if we’ll allow him to. Don’t let that feeling of sadness over lost opportunity slip away. Pray and ask God to give you boldness to share your faith.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1Cor 2:1- 4