How Long Do You Hope to Live on the Planet?
Are you willing to be shaped into an influential Christ-follower?
The answer to that first question may depend on your theology, but that is not what I am trying to pinpoint. Regardless of how long we are earth-bound in this present life, in the millennium, or in the new heaven and new earth (see, I told you that the answer depends on your theology), you and I are still “strangers and aliens” on this earth. We are for now – at least.
My mom lived almost 101 years here. She often commented on how quickly her life was passing by. Now at 71, I am feeling the same way. I asked several students recently, and, you know, they – in their teens – were also aware of how quickly life was passing. It seemed to crawl when I was in the middle teen years, but not for these kids.
What is the point of Jesus leaving us here as “living stones” and a “royal priesthood” if we are not going to be here all that long compared to eternity? In 1 Peter 2:11-17, the apostle gives us a strong clue about why we are left here and not just swept up into heaven as soon as we say “yes” to Jesus receiving the salvation He offers. Since we are here only temporarily, Peter says, “Don’t get caught up in the sinful, wasteful things that occupied your life before you became a Christ-follower”(my paraphrase).
I know we are not to live just to please others or to try to make everyone happy….that’s impossible. But we can live to please God and serve Him as our “audience of one”. Pleasing God is the best goal we can have. Ephesians 5:10 is a short, clear verse about that. Pleasing the Lord includes loving Him and being loved by Him, loving others and developing abundant relationships where we can. In fact, those two commands sum up all the law and the prophets. Jesus said so in Matthew 22:37-40. (see verse 40 – “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”.
How does that look, exactly? I would say, “living for Jesus, a life that is true; striving to please Him in all that I do”….sounds like a song. It is! We learn to submit to God and to those to whom He commands us to submit. That includes the government (unless they are directing us to disobey God’s law) and other authorities at all levels who are put in place to protect law-keepers and punish law-breakers. Most authorities do just that – but with notable exceptions.
Then Peter sums it up for us in one verse of I Peter 2:17. Verse 17: Honor all people (show proper respect). Love the brotherhood. (love other Christ-followers) Fear God (give Him awe, worship, respect, and love) Honor the king. (give authorities their due respect). Again, my paraphrases are in the parentheses.
Bottom Line: We live in a world desperately needy of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. By honoring people, loving the family of God, living in awe and reverence of our God, and showing due respect for authorities we show those in this world who are observing our lives a huge difference between living for Jesus versus living for our own pleasure or just allowing others to control us.
If and when those outside the faith get serious about life and eternity, guess whose example they will remember. I wonder who they will come to for help and some honest answers to real life questions. That would be you!