Imagine with me for a moment
It’s one hundred years into the future.
Where are you? Are you just ashes and dust? Have you ceased to exist?
Or…
Do you believe what the God of the Bible says, that you are a spirit eternal?
Along with that, will you be held accountable for how you spent your time on this earth? Accountable to an all knowing, all loving, just and righteous God?
And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27&28
You are not just a consciousness with a collection of memories. Jeremiah 1:5 says God knew you before you were born. You are his masterpiece. Unique in every way.
One of a kind.
You are also a spirit that will live on forever.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
There are many people spending time and money, working outside of nature, to extend their life. Even those who have drained their life savings to be kept frozen in a chamber, hoping for the technology to be thawed out one day. Without the truth of Christ, we will believe in anything to attain eternal life.
But the good news I want to share with you today is that: God has already got that covered! If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, you can rest in the hope of a future glory and an eternity with Him and all the other saints that have gone before you. You will have a new body that reflects the glory of God. One that you will be more “you” than ever before, fully aware and fully yourself. Free from worries and fear, full of the peace, love and joy of God.
What is going to matter in one hundred years?
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21
What treasures were Jesus talking about?
People. Relationships. How you treat the hungry, the sick and poor, the downtrodden, the widows and the orphans. How you treat your friends and loved ones. Especially your enemies. Were you willing to forgive and show love instead of hatred?
Are you actively settings things aside that distract your from spending time with God? Do you even know His heart? Have you shared your faith with a friend, a co-worker or stranger on the street?
Have you fully surrendered your heart to Him?
Just think about how you spend your day.
You wake up, go through your morning routine and head to work. You spend your life working for more hours and promotions for more money to buy more stuff. All the while skipping church because you’re too tired from working so much. Letting guilt and shame keep you from a relationship with God. Missing out on something God wants you to know, something that will change your life and bring you peace.
Will that job bring you peace? Will the latest and greatest bring you peace? That expensive car, nice house and clothes? There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but when you kick God out of your heart to spend more time attaining them, then that’s where you run into trouble. They become your God.
Where will that job be in one hundred years?
Where will your relationship with God be in one hundred years?
I want to challenge you today to examine your life and begin to place your focus on the things that will last for eternity. I can promise you, you won’t regret it. Especially one hundred years from now. God’s word is a good place to start.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35
Find a community of believers who are passionate about Christ. You need others to encourage you and help you keep the faith. Then ask God to teach you how to live a life that will matter one hundred years from now.
