What You Do Now Matters For Eternity

If we keep our minds set on this temporary life we are caught in Satan’s trap. Jesus said:

Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Jesus is telling us not to be earthly minded! He wants our hearts focused on heavenly treasure!

Paul went on in 2 Corinthians 5:10 ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The last word “bad” doesn’t mean awful or evil it means “worthless”. Something of no value. As Christians we are all going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Not for salvation, but for reward. What are we doing for Him with our lives that we’re going to be able to tell Him about that day?

What are we doing that counts? That has eternal perspective? Martin Luther, the father of Protestantism felt the truth of the judgment was so important that for years the only two dates on his calendar were “today” and “that day”! He knew if he lived right today, that “that day” would take care of itself.

General William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army) had a vision of going to heaven and being questioned by people and by Christ about his life on earth and being so horrified with his answers he wanted one more chance to return to earth and make amends for a wasted Christian life.

1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15 ¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Three types of building materials will survive and three will burn. Don’t build on Christ’s foundation using worthless things. Jesus, the ultimate and final judge will declare the worth of our work. Improper actions, or even right actions and wrong motives will not stand God’s purifying fire.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has put eternity into our hearts. Everything we long for and appreciate that is godly, loving, true, right, peaceful, secure, beautiful and eternal goes back to the Garden of Eden and God’s intention for human kind. To live forever in a state of beautiful heavenly joy. Every person has the spiritual DNA of Adam and Eve. There is an understanding, a knowing that there must be more then life on earth. They may not realize what this longing is, but it’s there. And God can’t wait for us to come home.

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

The Hebrew word for precious means “valuable”.

In John 14:1-3 Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Don’t let this temporary, evil world bring you down. This isn’t your eternal home. Whatever hardship you are facing, don’t let your heart be troubled! Jesus is preparing our eternal home right now!