What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?
The title of this article is a great question. However, few really consider this seriously in view of eternity. Many contemplate what they would like to occur over the next few years and make plans accordingly. Some set a goal and make attempts to reach that goal even while overcoming many of the obstacles life might present. Sometimes, because of circumstances beyond our control, we may even need to change goals. But still, the object of most folks’ attention seems to be so that they might attain the particular goal while “in this life”. This is because their focus is usually ‘on this life’ only. Sadly, this is the case with many as they have assumed that God will accept them ‘as they are’ because of His great mercy.
The responses to the question in our title will vary greatly depending on what one wants out of life. It could be a family with a wife and children. It might be the home in which the family might safely abide and continue through this life. This goal might be a particular career. The goal may be success in that career so you can ‘enjoy retirement’ after the career. The goals are as diverse as humanity, as all individuals are different in some ways while alike in other ways. But do not all these, family, home, career, etc., all only exist in this life? Will they not perish when life itself ceases? Yes, according to 2Pet 3:10, the earth, as well as the things of this life will all be destroyed.
So, what plan do you have for when your portion on earth is over? When do you plan for what is beyond this present time? Of course, it is before the event for which you are planning occurs. A couple plans their wedding prior to speaking their vows before the authority performing the marriage ceremony. One plans for the birth of a child before the day in which the infant is to come forth from the womb. A person begins their education before they start the course of study that leads to a particular career. Is it not sensible to begin the preparation for what is beyond this life, while we are alive, and while we have the capability to do so? If not, we won’t be prepared at the end of our life, or when the Lord returns.
This was the warning of James 4:13ff. The Spirit had this penman write these scattered saints to warn them of the brevity of life. He was not telling them they were not make plans, but all plans they made were to be with the understanding that the Lord could return at any time. This is the message of James 4:15 - For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. When the Lord returns and one has not made proper plans for eternity, it will be everlastingly too late. But when will that be? No one knows as God has not revealed this to humanity. In 1Thess. 5:1-2, the Spirit had the apostle Paul remind the brethren of Thessalonica of this fact. He wrote: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” There will be no time to prepare when the Lord returns.
The most important time in one’s life is now. This is because the time that is passed is irretrievable. The time that “may or may not” come, is yet in the future. We have no control of what has been, nor of what will be, but we can alter the course of our lives in preparation for eternity. This is true for those who have obeyed the gospel as well as for those who have not. All today, and for approximately the last two-thousand years are in the New Testament age. This is the final dispensation of time. It began when the Spirit delivered the gospel to the apostles in Jerusalem, Pentecost A.D. 33. It concludes when Christ returns the kingdom (the church) to His Father per 1Cor. 15:24 - Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. This is why Paul was directed to remind these brethren in 2Cor. 6:2 “. . . behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
What of those who have not become “children of God”? What should they do the rest of their lives? According to John 1:12, only those that “receive” Christ can become the sons of God. This is accomplished only when one obeys the gospel. This is initial obedience and entails several things, as laid out in the New Testament. 1) Hear the gospel – Rom 10:17; 2) Believe in Christ as the Son of God – John 8:24; 3) Repent of sins – Acts 17:30; 4) Confess that Christ is the Son of God – Rom. 10:9; 5) Be Baptized into Christ – Rom. 6:3-4. Then, per 2Cor. 5:17, one has become a “new creature”. Once one has obeyed the gospel, they are ”in Christ” and must, 6) Remain faithful unto death – Rev. 2:10b. It’s a rather simple plan that requires putting God and His Word first in one’s life. This is a lifetime commitment as each person’s soul is at stake.
Those who have obeyed the gospel also must strive to continually serve God as He has laid out in the New Testament. This requires an on-going dedication to the Word and the forsaking of all that would cause one to sin and separate them from God. To do this requires that one know what God says to man through His Word. 2Tim. 2:15 teaches study is the only way to know what God has revealed to man and to be approved unto God. In short, as the Spirit had Paul write in Phil. 2:12, Christians, for the rest of their lives, are to: “work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling ”. We cannot afford to be as Israel in Amos 6:1. “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion ”. We’ve not made it to heaven yet. We have life to live first. Live whatever time you have left in preparation for eternity. Your soul depends on it.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
