LIVING WITH THE END IN MIND
For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:7-10 (NIV)
Have you ever tried driving at 70 miles per hour down an interstate while wearing a blindfold? Of course not! You wouldn’t make it very far before running off the road or crashing into another vehicle. Even with the most seasoned NASCAR driver behind the wheel, I don’t have faith in anyone to safely control a vehicle in total darkness. How, then, are we to live by faith and not by sight? This doesn’t mean we are to live recklessly; rather, Jesus asks us to trust Him and choose righteous living over sinful living. A Christian has no need to fear the road ahead because, although it’s sometimes dark or unpredictable, God sees it, and He is in complete control. Living by faith means striving to be more like Jesus, even when our flesh is tempted. Until we are with Him in heaven, faith requires us to lay down our own understanding and trust Him. Pursuing righteous living over sinful living gives us an eternal perspective.
God takes notice of these efforts to trust Him and pursue righteousness. When we see Him face-to-face, He will reward us according to the lives we lived on earth. Scripture tells us in Psalms 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. This isn’t like investing money into a faith account to obtain mansions and crowns; it’s our surrender to the King of Kings who will acknowledge our faithfulness to Him and continue to lavish us with His good and perfect gifts.
APPLICATION: What do you need to surrender to God to live by faith? Spend some time in reflection and ask God to reveal areas where He wants you to trust Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I need Your help to live a life that pleases You. I want to live with an eternal perspective so that I can strengthen my relationship with You now. Thank You for being patient with me and for loving me unconditionally. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?