“O Lord, make me know
my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
Behold, you have made
my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely
all mankind stands a mere breath!”
Recently, I came across the following video by Francis Chan
teaching on earthly priorities in light of eternity.
Chan’s challenge to live for eternity is a noble and
biblical challenge (Colossians 3:2). Yet, he falls short about how to do it. Francis and other teachers
of “radical Christianity”, such as David Platt*, promote lives of tremendous
financial sacrifice, moving to the other side of the world, adopting a “dozen”
orphans, and other huge steps. Once again, this is biblical- our salvation is
evidenced through our works and actions (James 2:17), but it is not the primary call for Christians. The
primary call for Christians to live with an eternity mindset is by striving
for holiness, and is linked to our salvation and position in Jesus Christ.
- We have been justified through faith- declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1).
- We have been regenerated- life imparted and born again as new creations in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Titus 3:5).
- We have been reconciled and have peace with God (Romans 5:10-11).
- We have been redeemed, set free from the bondage of sin and purchased through the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Titus 2:14).
- We have been adopted as sons (and daughters) of God (Romans 8:14-17).
- We have been positionally sanctified- set apart unto God (1 Corinthians 6:11)
As a result of these glorious truths concerning our
salvation, we are to live holy lives in submission and obedience to Him. This
is the root focus of living for eternity, or beyond the “red section” to use
Chan’s rope analogy.
Empowered by God, we are to work out our own salvation
(Philippians 2:12-13). Scripture is clear concerning our effort which is required for
holiness and obedience to the commands of the written Word of God:
- Strive….for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)
- Abstain from sexual immorality- our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
- Purifies himself (1 John 3:3)
- Flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18)
- Make every effort….(2Peter 1:5-8)
- Put to death the sins of the flesh (Colossians 3:5-11)
Time does not permit me to list all of the instructions that we are to do, but Peter summed it up by stating "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:14-16).
Theologian Wayne Grudem states that “the New Testament does not suggest any shortcuts by which we can grow
in sanctification (holiness), but simply encourages us repeatedly to the
old-fashioned, time-honored means of Bible reading and meditation (Psalm 1:2,
Matthew 4:4, John 17:17), prayer (Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6), worship
(Ephesians 5:18-20), witnessing (Matthew 28:19-20), Christian fellowship
(Hebrews 10:24-25), and self-discipline/self-control (Galatians 5:23, Titus
1:8).” (Systematic Theology, p.
755).
There we have it, the primary “how” to live for eternity is
to put forth the effort in striving for holiness and putting sin to death. As
we grow in obedience to all of Scripture and delighting ourselves in Him,
fueled by study of the Word, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship then our giving will increase, we will answer
the call to go- whether it is across the world, across the street, or to a
factory time clock for 30 years (a noble calling, but a subject for another
day) and will live “radical” lives for Jesus Christ in light of eternity- the long tomorrow.
Footnote
*I have tremendous respect for both Francis Chan and Dr. David Platt and have benefitted immensely from their writings and speakings.
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