Today is the last Lord’s Day of 2015 in which we can serve the Lord. But what if today were also the last day that you can serve the Lord on earth? It could be that we are no more on earth tomorrow. Or it could be that the Lord Jesus Christ returns tomorrow. That means tomorrow we must face judgement. God’s Word tells us that Christ is returning to earth soon as judge. All must face judgement: “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good for bad” (2 Cor 5:10).
What if today is not just the final Lord’s Day but also the final day that we can serve the Lord? Are you ready to face judgement? Even as I write, my heart suddenly grew anxious. Am I ready to enter into eternity? That which will enable us to pass judgement must have everlasting quality. Your money in your bank, beauty, health, friends, praises from human beings, fame, position in your office, or anything that belongs to the world cannot protect you from God’s holy judgment. In fact, “the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Things that belong to the world will all be destroyed. The apostle Peter hence urges us: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12a). Stop wasting your life in pursuing things that will not last for eternity. Rather, live a holy life with holy habits. Serve the Lord.
If God is willing, we will have another year to serve the Lord in the year 2016. Do not say to yourself: “Let me finish this or that first, then I’ll serve the Lord.” You may not have tomorrow or next year. James wisely advices us: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:13-14a). We may not even be alive tomorrow: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14b). Never, never, never think that you always have another chance to serve the Lord. It may not come. Sometimes death or unexpected hindrances simply do not permit you to serve. Sometimes the deception that sin brings hardens your heart and takes away spiritual appetite to serve. Before you know it, it’s judgement day.
Rather, if you have life, serve the Lord faithfully. The Lord will repay your love for Him: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).