Our bodies are fragile, and I know that just like everyone else, I will eventually die. When that happens, there will be a few very sad people --- my family, my Bible Study partners, people who knew me from the various Churches I attended, and a lot of very happy people who would rejoice that another Christian voice has departed the universe. Most of the folks reading this will die of some manner of disease, event or old age within the next 50 years. Indeed scripture says that our lives are like a vapor --- here today but gone tomorrow. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
When I die, whether in a week, a year, a decade, or in 30 years, I will die having attained some of my goals, but without having attained some other goals. I wanted to get a PhD before I died, a net worth of at least $100 Million, and at least a C-Suite title at a Fortune 500 Company. I will have achieved none of these goals. Yet, I know that I will go in peace because I know that my salvation is guaranteed. I will be with the Lord when I die. I have trusted upon the name of Jesus, and that is all that really matters. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:36
So as Christians, once we have accepted the Lord, are our earthly goals unimportant? No, not at all. Should we just abandon our lives here on earth, and drift along just hoping to die and meet the Lord? No, not at all. On the contrary, we should pursue our goals with vigor and vitality, and with as much fervor as if we were unbelievers, yet, at the same time, keeping our priorities in line and Always Living In View of Eternity (ALIVE) We don't give up this world as though it didn't matter, no, that is not it. We use the Word of God the Bible as though it were our one and true Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE) in order to prepare us for eternity. Go have fun, pursue your goals, and have a great family life, but keep in mind that we will die some day. When that happens, we will meet our maker and be judged for our actions here on this earth ("And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27). On that day, if you don't have Jesus as your Lord, Savior and advocate, ("Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:32) you'll have a very difficult time entering Heaven.
When I die, whether in a week, a year, a decade, or in 30 years, I will die having attained some of my goals, but without having attained some other goals. I wanted to get a PhD before I died, a net worth of at least $100 Million, and at least a C-Suite title at a Fortune 500 Company. I will have achieved none of these goals. Yet, I know that I will go in peace because I know that my salvation is guaranteed. I will be with the Lord when I die. I have trusted upon the name of Jesus, and that is all that really matters. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:36
So as Christians, once we have accepted the Lord, are our earthly goals unimportant? No, not at all. Should we just abandon our lives here on earth, and drift along just hoping to die and meet the Lord? No, not at all. On the contrary, we should pursue our goals with vigor and vitality, and with as much fervor as if we were unbelievers, yet, at the same time, keeping our priorities in line and Always Living In View of Eternity (ALIVE) We don't give up this world as though it didn't matter, no, that is not it. We use the Word of God the Bible as though it were our one and true Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE) in order to prepare us for eternity. Go have fun, pursue your goals, and have a great family life, but keep in mind that we will die some day. When that happens, we will meet our maker and be judged for our actions here on this earth ("And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27). On that day, if you don't have Jesus as your Lord, Savior and advocate, ("Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:32) you'll have a very difficult time entering Heaven.
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