WISDOM FOR LIVING
By Tope Banso.
“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 7:21 New Living Translation).
Many years ago, I read a story – the story of a young communist student in West Berlin, Germany, trying to escape to East Germany with some secret files he had stolen. Unfortunately, he was shot. Before he died, he said to the soldiers, “I am dying for communism, what are you living for?”
May I ask you that same question? – What are you living for? What is eternal or temporary, sinful or holy; what will take you to heaven or send you to hell fire? What are you living for? “He [God] will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds” (Romans 2:7-8 New Living Translation).
That young man died for a cause he believed in which wouldn’t even secure for him eternal life but he was committed to it enough to live and die for it. If you can’t live well for what you believe, you certainly can’t die for it! What are you living for?
Some people are living for vanity – beauty, fashion, money, ambition, career, fame, entertainment, etc. which are transient. 1 John 2:17 warns, “And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever” (New Living Translation). What are you living for?
When you’re old, no longer as active as you’re now, will you be happy how you’ve lived your life? Will you be proud you’ve lived a God-centred life? Are you living a life that will qualify you for the rapture any time?
Reflect on your life today, repent and begin to live for God. Stop living for self and the devil. “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:8, New King James Version).
Jesus’ warned: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul” (Mark 8:36 New King James Version). You may be a Christian, even a pastor, a non-Christian or a nominal Christian, what are you really living for?
On that Day of Judgment, many people will be so ashamed of what they had lived for. “On judgment day, many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized” (Matthew 7:22-23 New Living Translation). What are you living for?
If you’re not born again, give your life to Jesus today, and begin to live obeying His Word. Also, prayerfully find out God’s plan for your life and live for it. “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 New Living Translation).
●●Banso, an Abuja-based minister, is can be reached at cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com; or on Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947