How Then Shall We Live?

“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were those who thought most of the next.” -CS Lewis

I often see in my own heart a sense of entitlement to an easy and comfortable life; and when hard times come, I can so quickly start to resent God. Why is this? It is caused by wrong expectations.

Jesus clearly told us that those who live a godly life will endure many hardships yet we often look to experience the joys of heaven in this present world that has been ruined by sin in every way. God uses our present pains and burdens to cause us to dwell on the precious promises our our heavenly home. When we do so, we will live differently, making the most of our time. Our living, future hope should continually transform the things we think about, what we do and the things we talk about.

If we believe this earth is not our final destination, that in fact it is simply a very small part of the grand story of redemption found in Jesus, we will begin to understand the futility of living for the here and now.

Revelation 7:9-12 gives us a stunning picture of the future: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”  If this glorious future reality started to define our perspective on our daily lives, wouldn’t we be motivated to live in such a way to tell others of Jesus so that they could experience the beauty and wonder of heaven with us?

The truth is that eternal life starts now for those who know Jesus personally. Knowing Jesus gives meaning and purpose to even the most mundane tasks in life because whatever we do, we can do it for the glory of God, knowing that one day “the king will answer them, ‘truly, i say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” 

For Christians, this isn’t our best life now- not even close. We have a glorious future secured through and with Jesus. We will have perfect communion with God and with each other. Truly nothing compares with the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ.

One day each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. For believers we have no need to fear though- all of our sins have already been forgiven. Our judgment won’t be for condemnation; rather we will be rewarded for the good works we did for the glory of God on earth. Were we faithful with our time and the gifts we were given? I’ve wondered why we’ll get rewards in Heaven. Isn’t it enough that we will get to experience the fullness of joy for all of eternity because of what Jesus accomplished for us?  Our rewards in heaven will be a constant reminder of the work God did in and through us since we can do nothing apart from him. We serve in the strength He supplies. Because of this, our rewards will bring greater glory to God for they will point to the One who gave us a new heart with new desires.

We will spend all of eternity discovering more about God’s unsearchable greatness!  Let us spend all of our lives preparing for the glorious day we see Jesus face-to-face as we remember the things we do and the words we speak on earth will make a difference for eternity. May God help us to give our lives to the spread of the news of our great salvation, available to any who will turn to Jesus.