Mortality motivates and eternity influences. These two things motivated and influenced Puritan leader Richard Baxter, who is credited with saying, “The face of death, and nearness of eternity, did much to convince me what books to read, what studies to prefer and prosecute, what company and conversation to choose. It drove me early into the vineyard of the Lord, and taught me to preach as a dying man to dying men.” Baxter’s mortality made him discriminating as to how to use his time. When we look at the Scriptures, it’s clear that they influenced his understanding.
The Bible affirms that mortality is a consequence of sin, universal, inevitable, and part of God’s judgment (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 5:12, 6:23). When people in the Bible realized that death and decay were part of the human experience, it led to extremes—oppressive thoughts and carefree abandon (Job 10:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:32). Mortality, however, was designed to elicit godly responses, not depressive or oppressive ones. Some godly responses include humility, and seeking and trusting God who knows and holds the future and “through all the generations [has] been our home!” (Psalm 90:1,12).
How should believers in Jesus respond to the fact that we’re mortal and have a limited amount of hours on earth? Among other things, we can acknowledge that we can’t afford to squander or lose even one day. Seek God and call upon His name, tell others about Jesus, look forward to our future hope, and be discriminating about what and who spends the currency of our time. Then we can experience more fully the One who satisfies us with His unfailing love (Psalm 90:14).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 44:1-34
More:
Read Psalm 39:4-6. What images does the psalmist use to describe our lives?
Next:
How does the truth that life is brief and fragile impact how you’re using time? What important thing do you sense the Holy Spirit is asking you to do today? What things should you remove from your schedule?
gagirllive on January 28, 2016 at 6:12 am
This is a very sobering thought, Marvin, as it should be. I have reached an age where there are more years behind me than in front of me. It’s on my mind constantly to live everyday for the glory of God…to invest (not spend) in the things that matter most and have eternal value. You are so right…life does get a whole lot more satisfying when we live it in light of eternity. Encouraging post, Marvin! Thanks
Gary Shultz on January 28, 2016 at 6:15 am
I’ve observed that it seems life goes in stages. When you are young you look forward to life on earth, your healthy and it seems like the stuff to do revolves around all that young life brings. You crank away at life and work for over 45 years and life looks different. You went through that, you may have sent children into the world and they repeat their cycle. I hear God’s call a little more crisply now that the push of life is over. I have a more urgent spirit to be ready, ready for what each day unfolds, ready to be God’s person. To do that, I need to do what we all have been asked to do, be faithful, be a student, be thankful, and praise God, along with other things that grow the faith. Marvin, I think each person has some idea what they probably should be limiting in their life. If they are on the right track the Spirit will whisper that. Thanks Marvin
Tom Felten on January 28, 2016 at 8:34 am
Marvin, yesterday I was at the memorial service for a man who truly loved God and lived his life well—honoring Him and reaching out passionately and effectively to others. One word of advice he’d given to a friend was, “Don’t coast . . . it can be so easy to coast in life.” As Paul wrote, may we all “press on” (Philippians 3:13-14) today, using the time we’ve been given to God’s glory!
Mike Wittmer on January 28, 2016 at 8:42 am
Ecclesiastes 7:2–“It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.”
sowharvest on January 28, 2016 at 10:45 am
Marvin, what a excellent reading as the words spoken are so true. My mother used to warn us about remembering that life goes so fast; i.e. the children go up and move on and years of working are behind you. As we face our mortality- we consider how much time we may have not invested in the right things or people But GOD is all glory- for HE is forgiving and gracious & even in the latter years HE doesn’t want any of us 2 “not get it”. It is unfortunate that we don’t get this until we r on the downside [more years behind than ahead]. Yet, I still am thankful that HE allows us the opportunity and mercy to look forward to an end to this earthly existence but a welcoming to our eternal existence. Praise be to GOD.
Roxanne Robbins on January 28, 2016 at 8:26 pm
An important exhortation to make the most of our God-given days!