Where in the World is My Joy? – #11
Which Side of the grave Are You Living For?
Growing up in church I remembered being taught that one day everything would be great. The day we end up in heaven would be amazing. I always questioned the fact that life would get good once we died. I have always believed that heaven is a reward for how we live our lives here and now. But, there is a question we have to ask about our lives: “Which side of the grave are you living for?”
Paul has done his best to be an example of someone who is making a difference on this side of the grave, but only because he has his eyes on the other side of the grave. When it comes right down to it, we have to decide which side of the grave we are going to live for. Paul writes about it in Philippians 3.
We need to choose when we are living for
All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, too. And if there are things you do not agree with, God will make them clear to you. But we should continue following the truth we already have. Brothers and sisters, all of you should try to follow my example and to copy those who live the way we showed you. Philippians 3:15-17 (NCV)
One of the truths we know about this life is that it will eventually end for all of us. When that day happens we are no longer able to affect our future. Those are the choices we have to make today and each day. If we believe that there is a heaven then we need to live today with that truth and let it change us. As we grow in our faith we realize just how much our choice can make our life better or worse.
Each day we are given the opportunity to choose which side of the grave we will live for. Will we think life ends when we die or does life continue in heaven. If you believe in heaven then let your daily choices show that to the people around you.
If we live for the earth our reward is here
Many people live like enemies of the cross of Christ. I have often told you about them, and it makes me cry to tell you about them now. In the end, they will be destroyed. They do whatever their bodies want, they are proud of their shameful acts, and they think only about earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19 (NCV)
Paul lets us know how it ends for the people who live only for this world. The end is the end for them. Paul says that we can destroy our lives if we give into every desire and lust that comes for us. We have to decide that we will not let our desires rule our lives. That is why we cannot just live for the here and now and the shadows that it can bring into our lives. As believers we have to choose the future, not just today. If we give into our desires then that is our reward. The momentary rush of the action is gone to quickly for it to be what we choose. Instead, choose to think in a different way. Do not let today’s desires to ruin tomorrow’s blessings.
If we live with heaven in mind our lives will be better
But our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. By his power to rule all things, he will change our simple bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NCV)
In my life many times people have asked why I am a pastor and why I make some of the choices that I do. It is hard to explain God’s work in our lives. Right now, many times it does not seem to make sense at all. We are asked to give up things to make hard choices and to sacrifice our desires for God’s work in this world. Most people will not understand our choices at all. That is because we are playing the long game, not for a short win but for the life to come. It may not make sense today, but one day it will. Jesus will return and reward us for our lives dedicated to him.
So, the grave is coming for all of us. We decide what happens on that day, today. That is why the daily choices will echo into eternity. Make tomorrow great by choosing to good today.