Dietrich Bonhoeffer once noted that the most important time in human history is the present hour.
We should all live with an eternal perspective, which means living the way you wished you would have lived when it comes your time to die. The most important time in your life is the present hour.
As we consider how to live with an eternal perspective this year, take to heart these 10 truths.
- Understand the odds are always against you when God asks you to do something. Remember, Jesus fed 5,000 hungry people with only five loaves of bread and two small fish (Matthew 14:15-21). Start giving it away and factor Jesus in for the impossible.
- Understand when God asks you to do something He intends to get involved. When you obey God, He will respond, “I am with you” (Matthew 28:20).
- Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do. Only what you do tells the world what you really believe.
- Recall what Peter Marshall said: “I would rather have failed at that which will ultimately succeed than to succeed in that which will ultimately fail.” Choose obedience over disobedience.
- Obedience may mean facing opposition. Remember Esther? She knew going to the king could lead to her death. But, obediently, she said, “And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
“… but with the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in the face of strong opposition.” -1 Thessalonians 2:2
- The greatest consequence of not obeying is we never get to see or experience what God wanted to do through us if we had obeyed.
- Remember that “[f]aith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
- Your fears will be your biggest enemy in your walk of faith with God. God says “fear not” more than 100 times in the Bible. Why does God say that? Because He is with us always.
- To live by faith is to take risks in the direction of hope.
“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” –2 Corinthians 3:12
- As you live out obedience, remember to be bold, be gentle, be verbal and be loving.
Jesus Christ is always with you as you believe these truths.