Christian Morality and Future Hope

You will note from the [writings of the Bible] on how we should live that there is a strong emphasis on living in the light of Yah'shua'' return at the end of this age. One reason for this is undoubtedly that we may receive his commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (Matthew 25:21). The Bible often mentions rewards for those who have lived faithfully for Jesus. However, there is more to it than that.

Christians are called to demonstrate here the marks of the future kingdom of Yahweh. In contrast to those whose "god is their stomach" Paul says, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Yah'shua the Messiah, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:18-21). In other words, because we know the value of our bodies and what they will be in the future, we will want to look after them here. Similarly, John, in speaking of Christ's return, says, "My dear friends, we are already Yahweh's children, though what we will be has not yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ is holy" (1 John 3:2, 3).

Dorothy Sayers had something worthwhile to say on this theme:

It is precisely because of the eternity outside of time that everything in time becomes valuable and important and meaningful. Therefore, Christianity...makes it of urgent importance that everything we do here (whether individually or as a society) should be rightly related to what we eternally are. "Eternal life" is the sole sanction for the values of this life.

This is one of the reasons Paul puts such emphasis on love. Stanley Grenz, in his excellent book The Moral Quest, puts it like this:

Whereas all other aspects of Christian existence will one day cease, love will carry over into the new [age] (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Of the various dimensions of the moral life, love is central to the whole, for it alone provides insight into the coming age. Indeed, love is the actual quality of the age to come. Where love exists the new [age] is present. And the moral life is eschatological living [living for the future]: It involves acting now as those who belong to the age to come.

Does it matter how we live?

There are a number of reasons we could give for why it matters. If the picture given us in the Bible of the character of Yahweh, the nature and purpose of human beings, and Yahweh's purposes for us in this life and the next is true, then certain things must follow. Our true joy and satisfaction in life will only be found as our lives are lived out in a loving relationship with him. It also means that our usefulness in this life will depend on that relationship. Others who could be blessed and helped along the road to find their own true destiny will only be so helped if we allow Yahweh to work in our lives in the way that he wishes to do. One thing is certain: we will pass this way only once. Some believe in reincarnation, that we will have the opportunity to come back in another life and have another shot at it, but the Bible clearly and constantly denies this possiblility - "We die only once and then we are judged" (Hebrews 9:27).

However, the Bible gives an even more pressing reason for facing these issues. The writer of Hebrews spells it out. "The word of Elohim is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from Elohim's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12, 13). In simple language, we are accountable, and a day of reckoning is coming when Yahweh "will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone's heart" (1 Corinthians 4:5). In his written word, the Bible, Yahweh has set out clearly what his standards are. If we have the courage to read it thoughtfully, it will sort us out. (It is not surprising that many don't want to read it!)

But we have to make a choice, which goes something like this. If I want to live in a relationship with Yahweh, I cannot do so without accepting his values, values that are an expression of his own goodness. Though I come woefully short of his perfection, he offers me forgiveness and total acceptance as his son or daughter. That is his grace given me in Yah'shua. However, I can't accept that forgiveness and live as I please. Once forgiven, he calls me to live the rest of my life in grateful devotion to him. Though he never promises it will be easy, he offers his help and some tremendous promises along the way. The end result is guaranteed, but the choice is mine.

In the twentieth chapter of Revelation we have a picture of the final judgement when the chips are down and we have to face our Judge. Two books are mentioned - the Book of Life and the book which records the life and deeds of every person. The Book of Life is the record of those who have accepted the gift of eternal life which Jesus purchased for them at infinite cost to himself. They have accepted his forgiveness and chosen to love and serve him. Though they may receive rewards or punishments based on their faithfulness to their Lord, they will not be rejected from his kingdom. They are members of his eternal family and will share in the blessings of that family through all eternity. Those whose names are not in this book will experience the "second death", described here as the "lake of fire", and elsewhere as "everlasting destruction" and being "shut out from the presence of Yahweh" (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is not my intention to go into the meaning of these terms here. Whatever they imply, it means that there is no way I could live in such a wonderful and perfect place such as Yahweh's future kingdom will be without having experienced the forgiveness and cleansing that is offered me through Jesus.

J. W. Green wrote a poem which drives home in a striking way the fact that one day we must face our day of reckoning:

When the factories of our cities
Will cease from the hum of steel cogs,
And the spade has turned its last furrow of soil
Or cut the last sod in the bogs;
When our banks have raked in their last dollar,
The Clerk has done with his pen,
When the Judge of the earth says: "Close for the night,"
And asks for a balance -
WHAT THEN!

When the last Evensong has been sung,
And the priest has made his last prayer;
When the people have heard their last sermon,
And the sound has died out on the air;
When the Prayer Book lies closed by the altar,
And the seats are all empty of men,
And each one stands facing his record,
And the great Book is opened -

WHAT THEN!

When the actors have played their last drama,
The Comedian has made his last fun;
When the film has flashed its last picture,
And the billboard displayed its last run;
When the crowds seeking pleasure have vanished,
And gone out in the darkness again,
When the trumpet of ages is sounded,
And eternity starts -

WHAT THEN!

When the bugle call sinks into silence,
And the long marching columns stand still;
When the Captain repeats his last orders,
And they've captured the last fort on the hill;
And the flag has been hauled from the masthead,
And midnight sounds out from Big Ben -
And you and I stand with the guilt of the past,
In the Law Courts of Heaven -

WHAT THEN!

However, if we have put our trust in Yah'shua as our Saviour and Lord, and experienced his grace and transforming presence, then we can face the future with absolute certainty, even with joy and anticipation.

If this is a step that you have not yet taken, and would like to do so, then you may find the following suggested prayer a useful guide.

If you should make a commitment of your life to Yahweh like this, then I suggest you do two things. Begin reading a passage of the New Testament each day. Ask Yahweh to teach you as you do and to enable you to live by its teaching. Also, find other Christians you feel at home with and with whom you can share mutual encouragement. You will find that the New Testament has a lot to say about what we can and should do for one another as members of Yahweh's family.

The greatest gift that we can pass on to the next generation is an example of true goodness that is based on a sure foundation. The New Testament tells us where we can find such a foundation and what true goodness is all about. When our children are brought up in this faith, we can confidently leave them, knowing that the Elohim who planned this mighty universe will surely guide them and that their contribution to humanity will be worthwhile. There is no other way we can face the new millennium with confidence - no other antidote to the violence and false values that are so prevalent in today's world. One thing is certain. The final victory will be Yahweh's. This was assured by the death and resurrection of Yah'shua the Messiah.

Courtesy of http://www.christianity.co.nz/morali11.htm