One of the precious gifts that God has given to every human being is the gift of time. Time is a precious resource, and absolutely non-renewable. Each hour, each day, each year of life, rolls relentlessly into eternity, carrying with them the imprint we have made for good or bad. These hours can never be recalled. They pass on into the archives of heaven, awaiting the time when we will meet them again in eternity. This being the case, how important that we should spend this precious non-renewable resource in a way that will count 1,000 years from now, instead of putting all of our energies into worldly things that will be of no consequence when this life is done.
With this in mind, we wish to identify a number of ways that the Christian can live his life in this world for the glory of God.
Working to God’s Plan
As we examine the life of the Lord Jesus, it is evident that each step was in full accordance with the eternal plan and purposes of His Father and God. As we read through John’s Gospel, we are made aware of the precision with which the Lord was following this divine plan as we meet the recurring phrase, “His hour was not yet come” (Jn. 7:30).
The first miracle He ever performed, in Cana of Galilee, when He turned the water into wine, gives us a unique insight into the way the Lord Jesus regarded the importance of timing. We remember on that occasion how He turned His mother Mary aside with the words, “Mine hour is not yet come.”2 Shortly thereafter, He did turn water into wine, but only when it was the Father’s time to do so.
Again, when the Feast of Tabernacles was about to be celebrated, His brethren wanted Him to go up to Jerusalem, and He refused, saying, “My time is not yet come…”3 Later, as the Cross was imminent, we hear Him say to His Father, “Father, the hour is come…”4 We learn some important lessons from these examples in the Saviour’s life.
First, it is not only important to do the right thing, but all-important to do it at the right time. Second, we must never allow human agencies, however dear and influential, to direct our spiritual life and service. Third, the pressing urgency of a need must not panic us into precipitous action which conflicts with God’s timing.
Yes, God has a plan for every life. And it will be found by those who prostrate themselves before Him in surrender, those who are prepared to listen to His voice through the pages of His Word, and through the current of circumstances which He allows in their lives. It should be recognized that the world also has a plan for our lives, and it is important that we, like Daniel, resist the attempts of the world to press us into its mold in order that we might follow God’s plan.
Pursuing Profitable Things
We often hear the question asked, “What’s the harm in doing this, or that, or in going here, or there?” The fact is, more Christians are deflected by things that are harmless in themselves, than those that are evidently harmful. For example, when a competitor is preparing for the Olympics, it isn’t sufficient that he abstain from things like drugs, alcohol, and smoking–which would clearly be detrimental to his success. He must also discipline himself in relation to legitimate things like diet, rest, and exercise, if he wishes to excel. So it is in the Christian life. We must obviously abstain from that which is harmful and sinful, but we must also discipline ourselves in that which is legitimate, yet which could keep us from complete commitment in our Christian life. Let’s think about some of the things in which we should be profitably engaged:
Immersion in the Word of God
Paul writes to young Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”5 Further, he writes to him, “Study to show thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”6 The Word of God is the Christian’s daily food, his source of wisdom, his guide to the purposes of God for his life and for the universe. Without intimate knowledge of the Word, a Christian is spiritually handicapped. Saturation in the Word of God is an essential for Christian living. And remember, you must take time in your schedule to pursue the Word; you will never find time.
The Pursuit of Godliness
Paul writes again to Timothy, “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”7 Again, “But godliness with contentment is great gain,”6 and “…O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”9 We learn from these statements the following conclusions: godliness brings greater reward than excellence on the sports field; godliness is more to be desired than a large bank balance; and godliness is an absolute necessity requiring vigorous pursuit, rather than chasing after the things demanded by selfish desires. This only makes sense from the eternal perspective.
Continuing in Prayer
Of all the exercises essential to spiritual well-being, the practice of prayer is surely the most difficult. Spiritual men and women testify that it is much easier to read, to study, to talk to others about Christ, or to preach than to pray. Prayer brings us face to face with opposing spiritual forces that sense great danger in allowing this exercise to continue. Luke records concerning the early church–which turned the world upside down with the gospel: “These all continued with one accord in prayer…”10 This was the secret of their power.
Paul emphasized the importance of living in the atmosphere of prayer: “…continuing instant in prayer.”11 Again, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…”12 and “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”13 Prayer is the power-house of Christian living and Christian service, yet it is perhaps the most neglected of all spiritual exercises.
Singular Obedience to Christ
Paul, writing to Timothy, reminds him: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”14 The whole issue surrounds who, or what, is in charge of our lives. Are we free to give unquestioning, instant obedience to the Lord, or are we entangled with things that keep us from responding as we should?
We recognize the importance of working to be able to pay our bills, but there is a world of difference between doing this and selling one’s self to the business world, being at its command rather than servants of Christ. The question we must ask is this: Who is Lord in my life?
The Lord rebuked some who kept calling Him, “Lord, Lord.” He said to them, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Lk. 6:46). The hallmark of a Christian under the Lordship of Christ is that he actually does the things that He says.
Waiting for the Coming of the Lord
There is nothing that could have a greater influence on the way we live and the purpose for which we labor, than the prospect of the any-moment coming of the Lord Jesus. The anticipation of the coming of the Lord makes this world’s glories fade from view. When William Kelly was offered a prestigious university post, he declined. Someone who heard of his refusal told him that he had turned down the opportunity to make a name for himself in the world. To which Kelly replied, “Which world?”
A Personal Testimonial
It was this that delivered me from the bondage of business, to be free in the pursuit of things spiritual. Having spent several years on the treadmill of corporate business, things came to a crisis one day, when I challenged myself with the question “If I knew for certain that the Lord was coming back, say, one year from now, what changes would I make in my life?” This struck me with tremendous force, as I realized that I had been ambushed into living for the wrong world, and that I could not continue to pursue such a path. I chose, therefore, to take a lower career path, which would pay the bills, and yet leave me free again to serve the Lord.
I would like to say for the encouragement of others who are in a similar situation (and there must be some), that I have never regretted making this decision, and have found that if one is prepared to make sacrifices for God and His people, there are compensations in this world, as well as the world to come.