Vanity of Worldly Pursuits: Driven by Eternity
The Bible tells us that at the end of days, all our works will be brought before God. Everything we did, every word we spoke, and everything we established will be tested by fire. As 1 Corinthians 3:13 says, “Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” Unfortunately, many people haven't realized that Judgment Day is one of the most significant days in human history. It’s not only a day of rewards, but also a day when we will discover whether the pursuits that drove us had any real value.
Many Christians don’t fully understand that true value comes from living in the fulfillment of God’s purpose for their lives. Jesus Himself said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” Let me explain something that might help: Do you know that every person on Earth will not experience death in the final day of Judgement? While all will face physical death, some will live in eternal peace and rest, while others will experience eternal judgment and suffering. God created humanity with a nature that makes us eternal beings, meaning we do not truly "die."
Revelation 20:12-15 describes this clearly: “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life...The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books...Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
We don’t go to church simply to avoid death. Rather, we go to church because we want to live, after Judgment Day, in a place of peace and rest—and to do so with an advantage. But where does that advantage come from?
The Bible tells the story of a man who gave his servants talents in Matthew 25:14-30. When the master returned, one servant had been faithful, and because of his stewardship, he was given authority over ten cities (Luke 19:17). Everything we do on Earth has a purpose, and that purpose is tied to the rewards we will receive in the age to come. At the end of days, we will stand before the Master, and He will test all that we have done—our businesses, evangelism efforts, offerings, and programs. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The problem today is that many people no longer live in the fear of God. Let me illustrate this further: We know Solomon as the wisest king. Under his reign, people lived in great peace and prosperity. Yet Solomon, at the end of his life, concluded that everything boils down to one thing: fearing God and keeping His commandments. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Solomon's focus on judgment reminds us that every work we do will be examined. Did we establish these works in the right way? Did they fulfill God's purpose? “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12). It can be difficult for us as believers to grasp the seriousness of this. I was teaching recently that the Bible speaks of those who bear fruit—some 30-fold, some 60-fold, and some 100-fold (Matthew 13:23). Few reach the 100-fold level, and even fewer reach the 60-fold. Many settle for less, not realizing that God desires us to pursue Him wholeheartedly and live in the fear of Him, knowing that all we do will pass through the fire of judgment.
This judgment isn’t meant to condemn us as Christians, but to reward us. However, it would be tragic to stand before God and see everything we did on Earth burn away, leaving nothing. “If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:15). Many Christians live frustrated, missing out on God’s full purpose for their lives.
My desire is that we come to a place where we live in pursuit of God's purpose for our lives and destinies. Let’s ensure that what we build will stand the test of fire and bring glory to God, not just in this life, but for eternity.
