The Ticking Clock of Eternity
I love history! It would be very easy for me to spend hours reading about the past or watching documentaries. One of my favourite accounts to follow on social media is of a man who restores old photos and film; it is truly fascinating to look at a family photo from the 1890s, or to watch a video of busy city streets in the days before the First World War. As I watch, I begin to imagine what it must have been like for them; but then, I slowly realise – those I’m looking at are no longer alive. The eyes I’m looking into are now closed in death, and every person, from the youngest to the oldest is now in eternity.
As the last seconds of an ancient video plays on my iPhone, I cannot help but wonder where the people I’m watching are now. While their earthly remains are buried in a grave someplace, where is the soul of that person? All of us were made to live forever – but the question where we will spend eternity needs to be answered.
The Bible teaches that it is appointed for people to die once (Hebrews 9:27); the Scripture is also clear that we will either spend eternity in Heaven or in Hell. Those who are in Heaven are only there because they experienced the love and grace of God. They couldn’t earn Heaven, or merit it through their deeds, rather, it was freely given by Jesus. But those in Hell, they are there because they chose to rebel against God and refused to be obedient to His commands to repent and believe. All people will end up in one of these two locations.
As we ponder this reality, we should realise that all people – not just those we see in old photos and videos – are moving towards eternity. The people we encounter in our daily lives, our friends, family members, strangers, co-workers, fellow-students, everyone – is marching towards death and eternity. As Christians, we can easily say we believe all of this; we may give intellectual agreement, and nod our head when we think about Heaven and Hell, but I do wonder – do we really believe it?
If we truly believed that people will spend eternity in Hell if they continue to reject Jesus, then surely, if we love people, we’d want to tell them of the hope of salvation. If we love our neighbours as ourselves, then shouldn’t we look to create opportunities to tell them the good news of Jesus?
Do we really believe what the Bible says about Heaven and Hell, and if we do, do we love people enough to tell them about Christ? These are challenging questions that we all need to think about (including me).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I heard many Christians speak about ‘loving their neighbour’ when they made the decision (rightly or wrongly) to shut down their churches. It certainly sounds pious and spiritual, but how many of those Christians who closed their churches in the name of ‘love’, now love their neighbour enough to go to them with the gospel? Sadly, there seems to be little concern for those same neighbours who are heading towards certain death and eternity. Surely, if we truly loved, then we’d try to reach them!
Every person you meet has a date with eternity; you may see them today, but tomorrow they may be gone. Life is short – it is here one minute, gone the next. The Bible says that our lives are but a vapour that appears for a short time (James 4:13-14). These are the people we need to reach. God in His wisdom has a plan to reach the lost, and you are a vital element in that plan.
As a Christian, you have been given the high calling of being a witness for the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:8) – so your job, your purpose in life, is to tell everyone about Christ. This is not a role reserved for pastors and evangelists, it is a job that has been given to every Christian. If you are saved, then you have a task ahead of you – you are to reach out to those marching towards eternity.
There is even a purpose in you meeting people for one time; God has put them across your path, so you can be a witness for Him. Perhaps your role is to say a few words to them, or to hand them a tract or copy of John’s Gospel. God in His sovereignty has put them into your life for those few short moments for a reason.
I’ll be honest with you; I am writing this article for myself. As I write, I cannot help but recall the opportunities I have missed. Now, I know, God in His sovereignty doesn’t hinge the salvation of His elect upon me, but that doesn’t excuse my failures to follow His command to be a witness for Jesus. God ordains people unto salvation, and He also ordains the means to bring people under the sound of the gospel. The means is you and I sharing the truth.
I can’t help but wonder if we’ve lost the reality of eternity in today’s Christianity. Maybe we’ve become distracted; perhaps the Devil has got us comfortable in our life, or busy with our jobs. Maybe we are distracted with silly online arguments or politics to the point where we’ve forgotten our main mission. Perhaps, we’ve lost the wonder of the gospel, and we are no longer thankful that Jesus saved us?
D.L. Moody said,
I would not give much for a man’s Christianity, if he is saved himself and is not willing to try and save others. It seems to me the basest ingratitude if we do not reach out the hand to others who are down in the same pit from which we were delivered.
I encourage you to take a few moments now to repent of any lack of love towards the lost. Spend time asking the Lord to give you a renewed love for Him and for those who are perishing. Make it a daily prayer that you do not forget God’s love for you. Then, out of thankfulness, go and love those who are still dead in sin by sharing the good news.