You’ll Go Down in History
People will do many things for notoriety. Everyone wants to be known- even if it’s for a bad cause. Most, I’m sure, would rather be known for their goodness or contributions to society, but I, sometimes, wonder if the basic motivation is any different. It is in the area of motivation that our weaknesses (and sins) are most clearly seen. When God looks on the heart, He understands what eludes the mortal mind, and those unseen, selfish motives register in eternity. This is a great reason that no one can claim goodness. The fallen nature is seen even in our best efforts.
Having stated the negative, we are all going to be remembered for something, and I don’t suppose there is much wrong with wanting people to think well of us when we are gone. So, whether we are moving out of town or passing on to our reward, most folks would like to leave a good track record and diminish the tongue-wagging in their absence. Few would want the preacher to have to lie at the funeral. They say even our words leave impressions on our physical surroundings, and all of us are leaving footprints on the sands of time.
The refrain of a song from my youth went, “Only one life, so soon it will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” If we really want to have made an impact with our lives, then we must do something that touches forever. Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” The world itself and the world-system are only temporary. Things will not always be for you and me the way they are today. Our forebears can testify to that. Only the will of God and those who do it are timeless in application. And you can, yes, you can reach into the great beyond.
Now, there are many Christian graces that bear on eternity. The chief of these is love. There are many good deeds that will be requited in eternity. Often, people do not appreciate the attitudes and actions of those who are trying to please God with their lives. This, sometimes, mystifies the sincere. One reason for this is that the things that God values are not commonly valued on earth. They are meant for another plane of existence and weighed by another scale. So, whatever you do for good, do it for God and not people. They won’t appreciate or understand it anyway.
There are many things eternity values, but the chief thing eternity values is people to inhabit it. Jesus didn’t die for principles- He died for people. God’s principles would have been just fine if Jesus never went to Calvary. But, it is God’s disposition to redeem, and it ought to be ours, also. We will miss out on the great adventure of the ages if all we do is cultivate grace and learn about godliness without garnering men and women for the kingdom. Yes, I’m talking about going out and getting them. For the most part, the lost will not come to us. They can’t. They’re lost.
Make the angels sing. Your life will make an indelible imprint that will last throughout the ceaseless ages of always if you will show someone the way to salvation in Jesus. You are never alone on the highway of lost souls. Jesus is with you, and there are scores upon scores of others around the world joining you in your quest for the best. One day, you will die, Jesus will come back or those you are trying to reach for Christ will die, and the opportunity will be gone. We’ve only one chance to do his will. Let’s make the most of it. Remember, you have but one life.
Sterl
« Go back