What if This Day Were Your Last?
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:14
Everyone will experience their last day and only God knows when that day will come. Do we live each day thinking it could be our last, or do expect to live to an old age before our last day comes? Are we ready to leave this world today? Are we comfortable in our eternal life with the Lord?
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54) For the Christian death is nothing more than a transition from earth to heaven in a new, imperishable, immortal body. Life doesn’t really begin until we shed this temporary sinful flesh. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matthew 10:28) Our flesh comes from the earth and returns to the earth, but our minds, thoughts, and personalities are spiritual, and live for eternity. God protects our souls from the evil one and we must remain close to the Lord, living each day as his servants; when he is ready, he will bring us home.
Knowing heaven is our home enables us to overcome the fear of death, and gives us courage and security to reflect Christ to the world. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:6) Christians are not afraid of death, but we certainly use wisdom when ministering in this world. We don’t deliberately put our lives in high-risk dangerous positions, but we do overcome fear wherever the Lord leads us because we know that he is with us.
If we are not confident in our eternal lives, then we need to study the word and verify that we are living a life pleasing to the Lord. I have met people who are very confident in their eternal lives, but their lives are not compatible with the truth of God’s Word. They have convinced themselves that heaven is their home by justifying their lives before God. God is our judge and he is not interested in us trying to justify our sinful lives to him; he is only interested if we have lived the life that Jesus has taught us through the scriptures. Continue in the Word, pray, fellowship, and always seek to increase your knowledge of our Lord by serving him. The key to the Christian life is seeking to know the Lord. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
Today know that your home is in heaven and you are secure in Christ. The world cannot hurt you because we give our hurt to the Lord and he sustains us. Physical death is when we go home. Remember that every Christian who stands strong in Christ is victorious in this world, no matter how much evil we see. No matter the extent to which Christians are hated and persecuted, we are victorious in Christ.
Let’s Pray: Lord, keep me strong in this evil world and never let your love in my heart grow cold. Guide me through the Spirit to boldly reflect Christ to everyone. Guide me to be secure in your promise of eternal life in heaven. Lord, keep Satan from putting lies of doubt in my mind, but overcome his lies with your Truth. In Jesus name, Amen