Tuesday, October 11, 2022

           We do not know everything there is to know about heaven in perfect detail and understanding.  Indeed, we, as humans, are not going to possess that kind of perfect understanding in this world or these mortal lives.  But Romans 14 does say there are two certainties about heaven that can count on and look forward to experiencing.  The Bible says, “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:11-12).  Paul points us to a coming day when we find ourselves in the presence of the Lord.  He makes it clear that two things will happen.  First, we will bow before the Lord.  We will acknowledge that only God is God.  Some may not give much thought to God moment by moment but the time is coming when we will acknowledge His greatness, majesty and presence.  Paul added in Philippians that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (see Philippians 2:10-11). Since the day is coming when we will bow before the Lord, we should prepare by practicing here and now. 
            We can bow before the Lord today in worship and prayer, in humility and trust, in surrender and submission.  There could be any number of ways and places in your life where you could bow before the Lord today and honor His greatness and majesty.  Often today, even God’s people have extended seasons of indifference toward God or even an outright ignoring of Him.  When we know that we will one day bow before the Lord in heaven then earth becomes a good place to prepare for that moment.
            Second, Paul assured us that we would give an account of ourselves to the Lord.  We will speak about what we have done with our lives.  We will address what we have done with the blessings and opportunities entrusted to us.  We will not be able to fake it or shade the truth in any way.  All will be revealed before the Lord’s perfect vision and wisdom.  Since we know there will be an accounting to come, it makes sense to live in anticipation of such a time.  God has told us what is coming.  May we live in ways that honor Him and bring glory to Him.  May we live in ways that are generous, devout and humble.  May we live as vessels who reveal His light and deflect glory back to Him. 
            How would you live today if you knew you would have to explain your actions and words to the Lord at midnight?  The reality is you and I will do that one day.  The accounting may not take place today but it will happen in eternity.  When we know that the Lord is expecting an accounting of our lives, that reality definitely impacts how we live now and the choices we make.  Paul gave us a recipe for worthy living in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the universe.”  Take time to bow today and to think of the record you will present to the Lord.  Have a great Tuesday and remember you can always worship with us at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.