Will Your Life Count

Socrates once said “The unexamined life is a life not worth living.” As the new year is approaching, I have spent some time considering 2017. I have reflected on the things I have messed up on and the things I have done well. After pondering over the last year, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to love others and honor God in my life. As we proceed into the new year, God has impressed upon me some questions that have pierced and penetrated my heart and cause me to examine my ways. I hope these questions will challenge you as they have challenged me. I asked: Will my life count in 2018? Will  I give my life wholly to love the God who created me and to who I will give account for all I have done or will I waste my life worshipping at the throne of worldly pleasure and selfish gain?

Before the Holiness of God

Revelations 20 depicts the final judgment where everyone will have to stand before the majesty of God and give account for how they have lived their lives. It says, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. . . And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (11-12, 15). This passage highlights the greatness of the LORD where he will stand before all of creation and give his just and perfect verdict. Some will come before his presence and say, “I gave money to the homeless.” “I took care of my family.” I build a great name for myself.” I went to church and gave all my money there.” But at the end of the day, every mouth will be shut and held accountable to what they have done (Romans 3:19-20). The reality is that all have sinned against God, and no one can make themselves right with God by their own works. The price for sin is death. Our actions have consequences and when we stand before the almighty presence of God, we will face those consequences.

But there is Hope

In the midst of all the mistakes and failures, God has loved the world enough to send His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for sin. While countless mistakes have been made, Jesus came to the earth for sake of the transgressor and never transgressed. Through His perfect life, He died a sacrificial death so that everlasting life can be experienced. He tasted death so that we could taste life. On the torturous cross, the sins, the failures, the shame was poured out on Jesus and His righteousness was credited to all who believe. Therefore, in light of eternity and our broken state before the creator of the universe, turn from your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord.

Make Your Life Count

The world is telling you that the purpose of life is to get a nice job, have a nice home, have a medium sized family, and get a good retirement plan. On top of this dream, the world has set the chief end of man as the happiness of man. People have turn to work, sports, drugs, friends, sex, and marriage to make then happy, but in the end, they walk away empty looking for the next peak of happiness. Don’t Buy This Dream! When you stand before the throne of God, these things will be nothing. They won’t matter; they will count for nothing. Don’t waste your life for momentary instant pleasure when you can be living for lasting joy in Jesus Christ. What matters before the throne of God is not what you have accomplished but who you know. My appeal to you is to know this God who has created you and designed you to be happy in Him, and to serve him. Do not waste your life living for the momentary worldly pleasure but commit to living for God and making your life count.