My Future Here

I am not that good at telling the future. Actually, I really stink at it. My NCAA March Madness Bracket proves that every year. Teams that I think would do very well do not. Teams that I didn’t think had a chance win games. This year, I was correct on one of my Final Four selections. I’m not that good at telling the future.

God is much better at telling the future, but He cheats. He has already seen the future. In fact, He is the One who is orchestrating the future. (Is it right to say that God cheats? Probably not.) God still allows the sin of people to mess things up, but even our sin does not negate His sovereignty.

Though we sometimes get hung up on what the future of the world holds, God’s word is very clear what the future of those who are disciples of Jesus will look like. I know that we most often think of our ultimate future in heaven, but do you ever give much thought to what your future here on earth will look like?

I cannot give you the details, but I can give you what God makes available to you right now and into your future life until you leave this life and get ushered into the next one. I can give that to you because God has given that to us in His word through the pen of the Apostle Paul. Read Titus 3:4-8 then notice the following.

First, verse 5 is clear that we are saved “not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.” We don’t work for or earn our salvation. We can never be good enough or do enough good things to overcome the debt of sin that we owe. It is God’s mercy through Christ that brings salvation.

Second, verses 6 and 7 say that because of the Spirit of God being poured out “abundantly” through Jesus, we become “heirs with the hope of eternal life.” That is, that we can walk with the assurance that heaven is coming. Whatever life has for us, eternal life will follow. The struggles of this world can be kept in perspective because it will only be for a short while.

Third, verse 8 reminds us that though our eye is on the ultimate prize of heaven where we will be with Jesus, we still have work to do while God leaves us here on earth. Paul says that “those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.”

We still have work to do here. Good works. These good works are “good and profitable for everyone.” God wants to use us to make a positive impact for the gospel and for His glory.

What does our future here on earth hold? Hope for our forever and good works for our here and now.

(Response? Questions? jeff.perkins@mbclife.org)