519. Running Out Of Tomorrows — Part Two

“The other day,” Stan began, “we talked about a former neighbor of mine who seems to have stepped into eternity without having taken the time to be assured of spending the rest of eternity in God’s presence.”

“That’s right,” I replied.  “Too busy doing other things to make the only decision that really matters on this side of eternity.”  [Note to Reader:  See Posting Number 517, “Running Out Of Tomorrows — Part One”.]

“I would like to touch on another aspect of this,” Stan continued.  “I see and I have seen what I consider to be way too many Christians who are content to wait until ‘tomorrow’ to move along the path from conversion to transformation.”

“Stuck on conversion?” I replied.

“That’s right, my friend,” Stan said, “they are content to have their ticket for the train to glory, without doing anything with their salvation while they wait for the train.”

“But isn’t the ticket all they need?” I asked.

“Yes, Stan replied, “that’s all they need to be assured of spending eternity with God.” “However, there is no doubt in my mind that each one of us who has accepted the finished work of Christ on the cross and received that assurance has an obligation to move on from conversion.”

“And,” he continued, “I think that such ‘moving on’ is to be a continual process as long as God keeps me on this side of eternity.  If I have stopped moving in the direction of spiritual maturity, that is no different than heading in the other direction.”

“One day,” Stan added, “I am going to stand before God to give an accounting.  Not just me, but each one who has claimed the free ticket made available by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.”

“I believe that those of us who are content to wait until tomorrow to begin and to continue on the path towards transformation are going to be sorely embarrassed by a lack of an adequate answer when they stand before God and He asks, ‘Well, what did you do to work out that salvation I gave you?’”

“The only answer,” Stan concluded, “may be that they ran out of tomorrows before getting around to doing anything.  I want to have a better answer than that!”

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So then each one of us shall give an account of himself to God.  Romans 14:12.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12, 13.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for the assurance of salvation through the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  Thank you, too, that you want me to move from conversion towards transformation in working out the salvation you have worked in through Christ.  I confess that too often I tend to be content with where I am, rather than purposefully moving on the path you intend.  Please forgive me.  And please, Father, help me in following your lead in pursuing you and all you have for me to be and to do on this side of eternity.  Help me in not putting off to tomorrow what you have for me to be and to do today.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1. What strikes you as the biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.    What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?

3.    What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.    Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.