“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Every day you make a choice that has an impact on eternity. Do you believe that? Don’t answer to quickly, because it’s easy to either scoff at such an idea or, perhaps even more dangerous, to quickly nod your head without ever stopping to consider this truth. I believe this principle about the gravity of this daily choice is found all through Scripture. Once you see it, it begins to appear everywhere.

Before taking his final breath on earth, Joshua urged the people of Israel with these words:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:14-15, NIV)

Do you recognize what Joshua is saying? Every day, we choose whom we will serve, how we will live, and what we will prioritize? Will you serve the gods of this world (money, comfort, pleasure, sex, power, control), or will you serve the Lord, the living God who reigns from Heaven?

Is the Lord undesirable to you, or is He your greatest Treasure? To whom or what will you give your life? Each day you make that choice, consciously or unconsciously. But for that choice you will be held accountable.

Let me back up this claim with some Bible:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he/she has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

This applies to every believer. Notice, Paul says “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Salvation is all by grace, but the daily choices and deeds done in the body directly impact rewards received.

Again:

“For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… So then each of us will give an account of himself/herself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12, emphasis added, ESV)

Are you prepared to “give an account” of yourself to God? Make the commitment today to live in light of the end, when you stand before the Judgment Seat of God and Christ.

Many people tell themselves that the choices they make don’t matter… after all, God is gracious and forgiving. So what’s the big deal?

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:7-10, ESV)

Many are deceived. Don’t be counted among them. Live each day knowing that whatever you reap, you will also sow. God will not be mocked. He is not manipulated or cajoled. But He is for you in Christ, which is why He gives these warnings and reminders. Because the world will attempt to cloud our vision and deceive us into thinking what we do each day doesn’t really matter in the end. But it does.

We need to number our days to get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). We need to make the best use of the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). One day, our work–our daily choices–will be tested by fire, resulting in reward or loss (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). If you are a Christian, one day, God will call you home to be with Him, and you will have to give an account. Are you ready for that day? If you are not a Christian, you need to stop living for yourself (repent), acknowledge the God who made you, and put your faith in the living Lord, Jesus Christ, who died the death you deserve for all your sins on the cross. Then, begin a life of daily surrender to Him alone.

So number your days. Live each day in light of the end. Embrace the mercy and forgiveness available to you in Christ. Offer up your body as a living sacrifice to Him, because that is true and spiritual worship (Romans 12:1-2).

You get to decide what kind of Christian you will be. Will you be the half-hearted, half-engaged, bored, and drifting Christian, who merely goes with the flow and never takes a stand or boldly steps out in faith to where God is calling you? Or will you be the Spirit-filled, knee-bowing, totally committed, all-in Christian who knows that each day you must “die daily” so that Christ will be manifest in your life?

We are called to live in daily surrender to the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus gave His life for you. Will you give your life each day for Him?

Are you interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you? I’d love to hear from you!