Nathan Brewer
Recall petitions circulate for City leaders. The search is on for the next City Manager. A school bond issue fails at the polls. Fans are upset with the coach.
This is the stuff of coffee pot conversation that we love to talk about with friends and family.
But as fun as it is to speculate about civic matters, these things won’t amount to a hill of beans when we breathe our last breath. When we stand before Jesus Christ on Judgment Day, they won’t matter at all.
Christianity gives one ultimate hope—eternal life. Although we’re scared to death of dying, few give any attention to eternal life in the next life. Instead, we fill our lives with stuff that seems so important right now. We’re plagued by nearsightedness.
Paul said his apostleship and service to God were according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledging of the truth, “in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began,” (Titus 1:1-2).
God didn’t create us just so we could create governments, then spend all our time on civic matters. Or on jobs and houses and hobbies. He created us for the same reason that mothers and fathers have children—to share time and space with people we love.
But God wants us to be with Him for eternity.
God knew that we would sin and lose fellowship with Him, but His mercy and wisdom provided a plan to solve that problem. The plan was in God’s mind before He even created Adam and Eve, and it allowed God to promise eternal life before the world began (Titus 1:2).
Then Jesus sent the apostles to the world with the message about God’s plan (Titus 1:3). In return for saving us, God demands top priority in our hearts (Matt. 6:33). Giving lip service about God once in a while is not the same as actively serving Him. We spend time and effort on things that mean the most to us. How much time and effort do you spend seeking and serving God?
The church in the first century had dealings with civic officials, but Christians’ focus was not on reforming Roman government. Their mission was spiritual—they wanted to go to heaven. That’s what occupied their hearts, so that’s what occupied their time.
There’s nothing wrong with civic engagement, having hobbies, and working hard at your job, as long as all of these are kept in perspective and the kingdom of heaven comes first. These things may seem important now, but politics and football and the stock market won’t matter one bit on Judgment Day. Eternal life has nothing to do with these things.
If you love God and want to go to heaven, then God, not things of this life, will get top priority. Every day, in all that you do. Do you love Him, or do you love this life?
