Resources/Articles
What You Do Matters
In the movie Gladiator, there is a powerful scene where a general named Maximus addresses some of his Roman soldiers. “Brothers,” he says, “what we do in life echoes in eternity.” What a powerful lesson!
With all the hype and publicity of “Black Lives Matter,” “Blue Lives Matter,” and “All Lives Matter,” it is more important to know what matters is what we do. The Bible clearly teaches we are saved by God’s grace, through personal faith in Christ, apart from any works whatsoever (Ephesians 2:8-9). It also teaches with clarity that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We will be recompensed for what we have done in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). The purpose of this judgment is to place sentence of either eternal rewards or condemnation upon each person (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
There are no exemptions to this plan. The faithful will be justified by faith. The atheist will experience God’s wrath for eternity for never declaring or obeying what he refused. “Lord, Lord” will mean very little. Eloquent abilities to speak and lure thousands will account for nothing. Being pious or showy of one’s religion will not exalt him to a better position for heaven. The house in which you live and all its glamour and grandeur you enjoy will not mean you will enjoy heaven.
What we do matters because it involves the resources God has blessed us with - possessions, time, energy, and talents.Think of it like a building project (Luke 14:25-30). Paul says “our building” will be tested with fire. Based upon the quality of building materials (gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw), our work will either be consumed or endure (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Our hospitality, courage, kindness, self-control, patience, and godliness matter most.
Here, then, are some important questions: What are we doing with the resources God has entrusted to us? Are we seeking to build God’s kingdom, in God’s way, empowered by God’s Spirit? Are we only concerned with satisfying our own immediate wants and desires? What our futures depend upon is what matters in the present. You are now writing the sentence of your judgment. What manner of persons ought ye to be (2 Peter 3:11)? That matters.
