And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 1 Peter 1:17
We may not think about it during our day-to-day lives, but one day, we will give an account of how we lived our lives. That means that the daily decisions we make and the things we do each day matter. Knowing this, we must live deliberately every single day, choosing to live lives that honor God and point others around us to Him.
Peter reminds us that we will give an account of how we lived our lives one day in 1 Peter 1. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote that God "has no favorites,” and as a result, “He will judge or reward you according to what you do” (verse 17). One day, based on how we lived our lives, God will either judge us or reward us based on our words and actions. How do we live in light of this truth? Peter wrote, "Live in reverent fear of Him during your time here as ‘temporary residents’” (verse 17). Because this world is not our home and our time here is short, we must make the most of our time and live with eternity in mind, looking toward the day when we will either be judged or rewarded for how we lived. We must live with eternity in mind, knowing that our actions matter.
Many of us today live our lives without thinking about eternity or about the truth that we are going to be either judged or rewarded by God based on how we lived. We live for the day, giving little care or concern for how we live will impact eternity. John, one of Jesus’ other disciples, along with Peter, refers to this way of living as “lukewarm—neither hot nor cold” (Revelation 3:16). This way of living, John writes, displeases the Lord. After all, those who are “lukewarm” do not take their faith seriously and live only for the moment, not eternity.
Instead of living as lukewarm followers of Christ, there is a better way! We must take our faith seriously, living with the end in mind. We must make decisions based on the fact that we will either be judged or rewarded by God. It is time for each one of us to take our faith seriously, knowing that He takes our words and actions seriously, and may He receive all of the honor and praise as a result.
Think for a moment of one step you would like to take in order to take your faith seriously, knowing you will give an account for how you lived. Maybe you want to watch your words and only speak life-giving words to others. Maybe you want to be more diligent in sharing your faith. Perhaps you want to let go of a sin in your life in order to obey Him. Whatever you decide, commit today to take steps in that direction.
Revelation 3:14-22
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
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