Live with the End in Mind

Yesterday was the last of several funerals for individuals all or near my same age for a while (I pray!). As I reflect over the past many days and having watched the funeral services of these various individuals, one thought keeps hitting me – live with the end in mind. As you live every day, do not forget the end of life. Here are several key Bible passages that help you and me understand why we need to live every day with the last day in mind.

The Apostle Paul Understood the Importance of a Life Well-Lived

The Apostle Paul would often review life. As he was writing his letters toward the end of life, he referred often to what was in the rearview mirror of life as he anticipated what lie before.

Keeping the Faith

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim 4:6-8).

Paul understood what life had been about. He recognized the nature of what was truly important in life. As he reflected on his life, he summarized it as a fight and a race. He explained that he had fought a good fight and had finished the race. But notice, he simply did not fight or run, he kept the faith in the process.

Running with Endurance

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Cor 9:24-27).

Paul explained how he ran the race of life. He did not simply focus on what was in front of him; instead, he ran with purpose. He endured while running so that he could win the prize. In fact, if you look closely, he uses both metaphors again in this text of running and fighting. He disciplines himself on the daily so that he would finish well.

Caring about Those around Us

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Tim 4:15-16).

In the greater text of 1 Timothy 4, Paul discusses the importance of discipline and spiritual exercise. Just as a well-prepared athlete maintains a rigorous exercise routine, a follower of Jesus must also exercise spiritually. Whatever effort an athlete would choose to remain fit, the follower of Jesus should maintain the same kind of diligence. When this happens and with consistency, it benefits you as the one running the spiritual race, plus it benefits those who watch you. In other words, the better you run the race, the more caring it is for those around you.

 

Understanding the End

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor 5:9-10).

In a future day known only to the Lord, every follower of Jesus Christ will stand before Him. As we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, we will receive rewards for what we have done in our bodies. Although Jesus has taken all of God’s wrath upon Himself in punishment for our sins, we still stand to receive rewards in this future day. We will receive these rewards and then cast them down at the feet of our wonderful Savior. Therefore, today – right now, we make it our aim to live a life that honors Jesus Christ.

Living for Christ with Boldness

…according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil 1:20-21).

As a child, these were two of my favorite verses. Our parents had us memorize these very early in life. They have helped me ever since. Paul, again, emphasizes how we live every day. The goal is that Christ would be magnified in us. In living – Christ. In dying – Christ. Every day – Christ. With boldness – Christ.

Abounding in the Work of the Lord

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58).

Although there are many additional passages from the Apostle Paul’s writing that we could consider, this will be the last. In it, the Apostle urges us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. In other words, we do every day whatever we can to honor Jesus Christ, live for Him, serve Him, and honor Him. What a great goal!

Live with the End in Mind

All of those verses were from the Apostle Paul. In another one of my favorite passages, the Apostle Peter puts the final moment of life in true perspective. He writes:

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11),

Friends, if each of us every day will live diligently for the Lord, understanding it is a race and a fight to honor Jesus Christ every day in the pressures, cares, temptations, and suffering in the world, then we will both be blessed and bless others.

Your blessing – you will be ushered into heaven with both doors swung wide open. An entrance abundantly into the everlasting kingdom. You will enjoy eternal life, will receive rewards, and can give them back to Jesus in a moment of intense worship.

Others’ blessing – they will never have to wonder for one moment what happened to you when you died. Instead, they will cherish your testimony of living for Jesus and dying for Jesus. As they reflect on your life, they will reflect on a life well-lived for Jesus.

Therefore, live today so you nor anyone else will ever have to question what happened to you when you died.