18 June, 2023
LIVING WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND
(Christian Living 29)
Moses the man of God made up his mind not to remain a Prince of Egypt but made the decision to identify with his people and suffer for Christ (Heb.11:24-26). The reason is given: “For he was looking ahead to his great reward” (v.26b). In other words, he did not live just for the present, but he lived with the future in mind. He knew that there was a coming Judgment Day: to be judged or to receive his reward. All of us must also think and do likewise. At the end of the day, we will have to give an account of our lives to Christ at His Tribunal: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (2 Cor. 5:10-NLT).
The Apostle Paul also made up his mind to live for Christ. He was willing to make sacrifices and lived for His Lord and accepted the hardship and suffering in His service for God. He said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil.1:21). This “gain” is the reward he would receive in Heaven. Only when we live totally for Christ, then will death be a gain. Otherwise, it will be a great loss. Before his death Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will reward me on that Day” (2 Tim.4:7-8).
Today too many Christians are living carelessly and are complacent in their relationship with Christ. They are worldly-minded and not committed to Christ and His cause. They live only for themselves, and work hard to fulfil their “dreams” but have no time for God or Church. At the end of the day, they will regret eternally when they are rejected at the Pearly Gates. Let us remember that we only have one life and only what’s done for Christ will last. Our one life is short and we may not know how long we will live. The Apostle James warns us: “For what is your life? You are only a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (Jas 4:14). So let us make our lives count for Christ and live for eternity by serving God faithfully.
Our Lord Jesus gave a warning: “What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37 -KJV). He also exhorted His disciples, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven. For where your treasure is there will heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). The “treasures” are those things we count most precious or valuable in life. But we need to ensure that these “treasures” will count for eternity in Heaven! Gold and silver, money and earthly assets we acquire here will not be stored in Heaven.
So what will these “treasures” be that we can bring with us to Heaven? Obviously, they are precious souls for whom Christ died to save! Let us invest in the Kingdom of Heaven by winning souls for Christ. We can do that by witnessing for Christ and supporting mission work and missionaries! Be a soul-winner and better still be a missionary if God calls you!
Click HERE to return to Article Listing