What If Tomorrow Never Comes?

Using the Phillips Translation, James 4:14 reads: “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? What, after all, is your life? It is like a puff or smoke visible for a little while and then dissolving into thin air.” With these thoughts in mind, let us think about the following:

“What If’s” — Often foolish and detrimental, but sometimes valuable. For example, “What if tomorrow never comes?” Fanciful you say? Our text shows otherwise! (2 Peter 3:8-14). From this text one thing is certain — life is uncertain! But there are some things that are certain! (cf. Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:32; Revelation 20:11-12). It is no wonder then that Peter, when he looked at the uncertainty of life, went on to ask "what manner of persons we ought to be" (2 Peter 3:11)! If tomorrow never comes, what manner of things do I want written in the Book of Life? (Philippians 4:3).

Do I want it written that I: 

Was In Christ? —Many spend their whole life striving to be in the best clothing, house, car … but what will these matter a hundred years from now? What will matter is whether I am "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 5:23). But how? We must let the Judge answer (Romans 6:1-4; Galations 3:26-27).

Was A Servant Of God? — Again, any other way is failure. Being “in Christ” brings responsibilities as a servant (Romans 6:17; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Revelation 2:10). We might ask, “what is a servant?” — let the Judge answer (Matthew 25:23; 1 Samuel 2:35).

Was An Example To Others? — If my son/daughter/grandchild/spouse … follows me, then according to Bible teaching, my example will lead them to heaven or hell. Whether older like Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1) or young like Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12), we can each give the gift of an example to others. What kind of example will be written that I have been in …. becoming a child of God? Worshiping? Living?

Made A Difference? — We’re not speaking of worldly accomplishments, but making a difference for eternity! Making a real difference can come in many ways such as, (1) Influencing your child, spouse, or anyone else to obey the Gospel (Romans 6:17); (2) Allowing the light of God in you to push the darkness back in a world filled with darkness (Matthew 5:16); (3) Living so as to glorify God in the midst of a self-serving world. Such things make an eternal difference! If tomorrow never comes (and indeed it may not), then who do I want to be like? (1) The rich man who is suffering and bemoaning the fate of others? (Luke 16:22-25) or (2) Lazarus, comforted in Abraham’s bosom? (Luke 16:23).

Dear reader, as always, the choice is both mine and yours! (Joshua 24:14-15).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets