As believers, what’s the point of having great miraculous power, riches, wisdom and unbridled pleasure at our disposal if we miss out on heaven?
What’s the point of having spectacular miraculous power here on earth but finally get shut out from heaven?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7: 21-23)
What’s the point of having great riches here on earth but fail to arrive at the pearly gates of heaven?
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8: 36-37)
What’s the point of having great wisdom and ample access to sensual pleasure when the prospect of eternal judgment awaits us?
A case in point is King Solomon, arguably the wisest man on earth in his time, who had 700 princesses as wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11: 3). That’s indeed a jaw-dropping number. Let us suppose someone today manages to attain a fraction of what Solomon had. What good is his wisdom if it is mere head knowledge—not reflected in obedience? And, finally, he fails to make it to heaven. What’s the point of unbridled sensual pleasure if it draws him away from God, denying him entry to heaven?
When our time on earth is over, our physical body undergoes decomposition and decay. But our soul lives on. The question is whether we will spend the rest of eternity in heaven or hell.
Our fate in eternity is based on our spiritual state just before we expire or when Christ comes again (whichever comes first).
A man of God who performs great signs and wonders but commits adultery and apostasy at the last lap of life’s journey stands condemned whereas a dying thief who has faith and commits himself to Christ during life’s final moments passes into heaven with rejoicing. Our fate is NOT decided merely at the point of entry (conversion).
It’s our current spiritual state which matters: “When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?” (Ezekiel 18:26-29).
The philosopher and scientist, Blaise Pascal, wrote: “The immortality of the soul is a matter which is of so great consequence to us and which touches us so profoundly that we must have lost all feeling to be indifferent about it.”
In our busy lives, filled with countless tasks and pleasures, how many of us would care to spare a thought about our ?
On that day of reckoning when we face the Judge, some who think they are ‘in’ may actually be ‘out’. Some may think God sees them as sheep but they are, in fact, .
Some of those who had it so good while on earth may be in for a big surprise. Some who are rich, famous and perform great miracles—who believe God’s favour is upon them—may be in for a rude shock. There will be major upsets. The first may be last, and the last may be first. There will be much .
So what is the conclusion?
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
“Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Can we confidently say like apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me (2 Timothy 1:12b)?”
As believers, let’s aspire to live our lives before God in all good conscience (Acts 23: 1).
As God knows those who are his, let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19).
Instead of missing the mark, let’s press on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
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After everything is done and our short sojourn on earth is over, one crucial question remains: “Where we will spend eternity?”
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.” Do we know how to ‘set our house in order’ if we receive news that we have only a few months to live?
What do you think is the true measure of a believer? Does it rest solely on how much anointing or power he or she has? Or how many spectacular feats he or she can perform?
What does it take to be a winner in the most important race of all?
Spiritual decline is characteristic of the end times we are now living in. Wind direction changes. Seasons come and go. The only constant in life is change. Likewise, it may not be easy for believers to remain steadfast till the end in their spiritual journey.
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Source of Article: http://limpohann.blogspot.my/2015/01/missing-mark.html
NOTE: This article is a personal reflection of the writer, presented for the edification of our readers. Christianity Malaysia remains neutral and impartial on all inspirational reflections from all writers published on this website.
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