There’s a very good reason to consistently think about God and about how to please Him with our choices.
Simply stated, our eternal joy depends on it.
So many people seemingly attempt to complicate the “to do” list when it comes to gaining the hope of an eternity in heaven.
It really isn’t complicated at all.
Love God. Love His Son. Love people. And live to serve them all.
All of our choices should be tied to the list above.
We all know that various cults and false religions create intricate rituals for being good enough to qualify for a better afterlife.
Even some Christian groups fall into the works-based salvation trap set up by the Devil.
But in our final day of reading from the One-Year Bible, there’s a paragraph that offers refreshing simplicity to being right with God.
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
“‘They will be my people,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’” (Malachi 3:16-18)
If I want to see my name in the scroll of remembrance — i.e., the roll call of the saved — then I am to consistently live in reverent fear (respect) of God and always think about how to honor His name with my choices.
No matter what I face, whether good times or bad, my words and actions toward others — heard and seen by Him — are to reflect the fact that God is on His throne and Christ is in my heart.
Others are to see this, as well. I want to be seen as righteous on the day of judgment, not because I’ve done everything right in life (I haven’t) but instead because my heart is in the right place — God’s hands.
Please, as you head into a new year, always think of how to honor God with all of your choices.
There’s a huge carrot waiting for you and the saved souls already in heaven waiting for you if you choose wisely.
As always, I love you
Martin
