Bible Study

We're happy to provide The Bible Minute studies to you at no cost. But to keep providing this resource, we need your help. Would you please consider a donation to provide The Bible Minute? Thank you for your help and your support!

Title: More Than Today
Date: Aug 3, 2010
Topic(s): Obedience/Discipleship, Heaven
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4, Hebrews 13:1-18, Hebrews 12:1-2, John 13:34-35, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:9-20

<  previous date

It's easy to get tangled up, stressed out and totally overwhelmed by the worries and demands of life. When that happens, we tend to become careless about our relationship with God. We stop reading our Bibles and praying. We don't take time to tell others about Jesus. As a result, we short-change ourselves when it comes to fellowship with God. As Christians, we need to have an eternal perspective that helps us live--today.

What Does God Say?

Paul shows us this eternal perspective in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (ESV).

This body we live in, the worries and struggles we face, the demands of daily life--they're all temporary and transient. They don't last. We're to live today without forgetting that but also with heaven in mind. Keep reading through 2 Corinthians 4 and into 5:1-6 to see how Paul underscores the temporary nature of this life. He doesn't treat it lightly as if it doesn't matter, but he reminds us that something more important--eternity with God--is coming.

So, what about today? Does it matter what you do with it? The answer is yes. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (ESV, emphasis added).

We may be longing for heaven, but we're not there yet. Today the challenge is to "walk by faith, not by sight." Remember, what you see is transient; it won't last (2 Corinthians 4:18). And today, we "make it our aim to please him," because there is a reward to come when we stand before Jesus in heaven.

My Thoughts

What can you do today that pleases God as you walk by faith? Here are just a few assignments the believer is given.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

• What is the ministry or task we're given?
• How does it fit with what's eternal?
• How do you personally fulfill this mission?

John 13:34-35

• What is the new commandment?
• Whose example are you to follow?
• What does keeping it reveal about you?

Romans 12:1-2

• What is the charge given here?
• What perspective needs to be changed or removed?
• What is the outcome of this transformation?

Hebrews 12:1-2

• What are you challenged to do here?
• What needs to change or be set aside?
• What are you to focus on as you run the race?

You'll also find some day-to-day choices and actions that please God in passages like Romans 12:9-20 and Hebrews 13:1-18.

My Part

So, you've been given today. What will you do with it that matters for eternity? Think through your daily routine. How are you doing at the ministry of reconciliation? At running with your eyes on Jesus? At laying aside the entanglements of sin? What about loving others as Christ did? Is your sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to Him? What are some practical ways you're doing this? What other ways can you think of to fulfill these assignments?

Maybe you have a friend or family member who needs to see how Jesus loves them through you. Maybe you need to deal with a habit of sin that keeps tripping you up. Maybe you let the worries and concerns of your day undermine "walking by faith" or you easily "lose heart" instead of being "of good courage." Commit that issue to the Lord, ask for His direction and help in reshaping your attitude or actions and then take action. Yes, what you do today matters for eternity.

Borrow Colossians 1:9-12 as your prayer; it covers all that you need for today as well as reminding you of the eternal reward or inheritance from God.

Options

• Print Format
• Email a friend

Search: