ACTS 17:30-31 – The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
THEME OF THE DAY: OUR LAST WEEK ON EARTH. So, let’s picture this situation. What if we knew that one week from this moment, God is going to summon us to heaven to stand before Him and be judged for how we lived our one life. We are going to be thoroughly examined and give an account for our sacrificial commitments of ourselves to Him, His Word, His Son, His mission and His people. Right now, one of two things defines us as we ponder our last week on earth.
First, our eyes are somewhat wide open with what is about to happen in seven days. We begin to think, “Uh, oh. I have some big changes to do in my life – fast. I need to re-think my priorities, my investments of time, my investments of resources, my commitment to the Gospel, and shed my worldliness this last week I have on earth.” Friends, I pray we are not in this category. If we are, we got big spiritual problems, not in a week, but now. But there is another side defining us and our last week on earth.
In this position, we immediately are able to quote the last two verses in the Bible – He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen (Revelation 22:20-21). And why are we able to do so? We are ready. We are looking forward to this day. We wish it were today. The gospel is shaping our lives, all areas. We are living for eternity now. We would not need to change a single thing. Spiritual priorities define us in our homes, communities, churches, and workplaces. And that describes what normal Christianity is. Such Christians know, embrace, and model these people described in the letter to the Hebrews – These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Pilgrim-attitude living, “just passing through” is to characterize our lives. To do so ensures we live prepared whenever God calls us to Himself whether a week away or today. And always remember, that day is certain and appointed and we don’t know it! Live accordingly.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I live as an ‘unbelieving believer’ when it comes to living for my Day of Judgment.”
QUOTE: “Oh, how wise to live each day with an eye on judgment. Oh, how foolish to live each day as if it doesn’t exist.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim