Temporary Versus Eternal
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
Our flesh is temporary and lives only in this life, but our soul lives for eternity. When we take our last breath our flesh dies but we are still alive. We have stepped out of this temporary life into eternal life, and God will judge where we will spend our eternal life.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Every person that ever lived will know the Truth at end times and will face eternal judgment. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:30-31) These are the words Jesus spoke to apostles, telling of his return. All those who never accepted Christ as their Savior will mourn. Those who accepted Christ as their life, the angels will carry us to be with Christ forever. Everyone that ever lived will experience this day. They will know the Truth, but it will be too late for those who refused to accept Christ.
It is written “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” (Romans 14:11) When our flesh dies, life begins, and everyone will know the Truth. In view of temporary life versus eternal life, should we live with our priority on temporary life or live with our priority on eternal life?
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? (James 4:13) In this verse, James is telling us not to live this life as though it lasts forever, but live for our eternal life which does last forever.
Today, live for eternity and know everything you do today can have eternal consequences. Live life to the full with peace and joy knowing you eternal life is with the Father and the Son.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live for eternity with you. Guide me in the Spirit to live for Christ because only Christ can guide me through life to my eternal home. In Jesus’ name, Amen