Driven by Eternity

Romans 6:22: But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.

Many times we need to remind ourselves why are we on this journey?  First of all, God made us free from sin to become a servant of His and to have a positive influence on the world around us.  Having a positive influence on those around us and simply being driven to become a better person in Christ rest in us staying focused on eternity. The word of God tells us that life is but a vapor, so let’s face it, this life is short and really doesn't compare to eternity.  Eternity will be when God does away with time.  Now we are living in eternity!  That’s a long time and a vapor is a very short time, so where do you think our focus needs to be?

As we are praying for and witnessing to our family and friends, our focus, drive and motivation to win them to Christ does not need to be the temporary problems they may be having in life, although those problems will begin to fade away as an individual walks with the Lord.  We need to be motivated by where are they going to spend eternity?   If we could just get a glimpse of what eternity will be like, heaven or hell, as a believer we would be motivated to win our family and friends to Christ.

When I think about the thief on the cross and the pain that he was going through, the one thing that gave him hope was when Jesus told him today you will be with me in paradise.  We need to continually remind ourselves that is why we live the Christian life and that is why Christ died for us...Eternal Life.  I’m reminded of a statement I heard just the other day. If our life is a vapor then that is not a long time to hang on and do the right thing.

Matthew 18:8:  And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.  What Jesus is stressing here is the importance of eternity and how driven we need to be while we are living in this vapor of a life to stay focused on the life to come. The more we are focused on eternity the more productive we will be in becoming better people in this life and better witnesses to our friends and family.

There was a lady who swam from an island off the coast of California to the mainland; it was about the distance of swimming the English Channel.  It was foggy on her attempt and she could not see far ahead.  She motioned for her boat to pick her up, she said she was tired.  What she didn’t realize was she was almost there but she couldn’t see the finish line because of the fog.  She said if I had known it was that close I could have made it.  That is so much like our lives.   Remember, fog will sometimes enter into our lives and will eventually go away but quitting is forever. We have no idea when time will cease in our lives and eternity will begin. Stay focused on what matters and you will not be tempted to get in the boat when the fog sets in, instead you will stay the course and get the prize….Eternal Life