In review of 2 Corinthians 4:18 I read, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (NLT)
As I experience terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life is not all there is. There is life after death. Knowing that I'll live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help me live above the pain that I face in this life.
Everything I see around me is temporary. It’s what I can’t see that will last forever. And those realities are what truly matter.
Spiritual realities are more real than physical ones. I need to focus on the spiritual ones, what’s really real. There are five spiritual realities I need to take to heart.
First, God made me to love me (see Jeremiah 31:3), and he wants me to learn to love him back. This is the most important reality of life.
Secondly, I was made to last forever (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). I will be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.
Thirdly, God has prepared two eternal places. Both heaven and hell are real, literal places. They’re not just “states of being.”
Fourth, I get to choose where I’ll spend eternity. I won’t accidentally find yourself in hell one day. I would be there because of a choice I made. If I choose to make Jesus the boss of my life, I’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. If I choose to reject him, I’ll spend forever in hell. There is no middle option.
Lastly, I won’t get a second chance to make my choice. My choice has a time limit. I have my entire life to make the decision, but I can’t change my mind after death.
What I do with these five truths will not only affect your eternal destiny, it will also transform how I live on this side of eternity.
In summary, don’t look at the troubles that I see now; rather, we fix my gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things I see now will soon be gone, but the things I cannot see will last forever. Realize that this life is not all there is. There is life after death. Knowing that I'll live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help me live above the pain that I face in this life. Everything I see around me is temporary. It’s what I can’t see that will last forever. There are five spiritual realities I need to take to heart. First, God made me to love me , and he wants me to learn to love him back. Secondly, I was made to last forever. Thirdly, God has prepared two eternal places. Both heaven and hell are real, Fourth, I get to choose where I’ll spend eternity. If I choose to make Jesus the boss of my life, I’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. If I choose to reject him, I’ll spend forever in hell. Lastly, I won’t get a second chance to make my choice. I can’t change my mind after death.
Father, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. I ask for wisdom and guidance for what training to do to prepare for my next role, and what my next role will be. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment