Relative to eternity, our lives on this earth are but a breath in God’s timing (Job 7:7). As we grow older, we become increasingly aware that the years we have already lived are directly related to how fast time goes by. One Christmas is barely over when the next one arrives. Our children are having babies of their own and our grandchildren quickly become the age our children were just yesterday!
As Christ followers, we become increasingly aware that our time on this earth is limited, and we recognize that the time will come when we will go home, for eternity. Yet, we rarely give much thought to heaven, much less the path we are taking to get there. It is possible that more people come to Christ out of fear of going to hell than out of the desire to go to heaven. Satan lies to us about heaven. As we learned in this week’s teaching, he uses many deceptions. He alters the truth about our eternal destination, to both non-believers and believers alike. Satan also deceives us by keeping us so focused on our earthly lives that we may not think about heaven at all, much less our journey to get there.
Pastor Mark raised a question that we were asked to think about this week, a question we could ponder for the rest of our lives and still not fully arrive at an answer. It is related more to the journey than it is to the destination. The question is,
“Are you using your time on this earth wisely?”
As Christ followers, we cannot just breathe a sigh of relief after we come to salvation and coast for the rest of our lives; we have an obligation to become more like Christ. Paul was so overtaken by his brief view of heaven that he was unable to describe it in words. In spite of his desire to be with Christ in heaven, he was torn because of his desire to continue his “fruitful labor” on this earth (Philippians 1:22-23).
We are commanded to go out and make disciples as Christ followers. However, in doing so we cannot forget that our journey to heaven is not limited to evangelism. God gives us salvation through grace. We are given passage to heaven, but we have things prepared for us to do while living here (Ephesians 2:10).
As Christ followers, we may look forward to being reunited with loved ones when we arrive in heaven, but what will happen when we meet those who have hurt us or disagreed with us along the way?
God grants salvation to murderers, drug abusers, rapists, abusive parents, prisoners, homeless people, lazy people, and people who don’t like cats. There is no sin He excludes, except the one of refusing to believe in His one and only Son. He forgives all who call on His name (Romans 10:13). Do we live to serve, or live to be served? When God calls out to us to work for him, do we answer with a yes or a “maybe”? Are we living as Jesus lived?
(Additional Reading): Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 13:22-27
