How Would You Live Your Last Day?

             This past week was a reminder to each of us that we aren’t promised tomorrow.  Death is not a respecter of age, family status, political status, or our relationship with Christ.  None of us knows when that day will come, but unless Christ returns first, it will come.  The question is, how should we live each day knowing that it could be our last?

            As I read the book of Esther recently, I couldn’t help but wonder how the Jews prepared when the evil decree designed by Haman to destroy them was issued. Yes, they had 11 months' warning, but still, how would you prepare if you knew someone was coming to kill you? The Scripture doesn’t tell us how they initially responded, but we know that God used Esther to deliver them from that fate.

            Today, Christians all over the world face that same kind of threat.  There may not be a decree setting a time and place, but there is an ever-present threat that never ceases.  When they proclaim their allegiance to Christ, they are often estranged or even threatened by their families.  They may lose their jobs, their homes, and in some cases, their children.  They may be beaten, imprisoned, and killed.

            How do they respond?  Do they run for their lives?  Do they try to salvage what they can of their possessions?  Do they try to keep one foot in their old life to avoid the danger of their new one?  No, most do not do any of those things.  They stay and continue to spread the Good news of Christ.  They risk their lives to try to bring eternal life to those they love and even to those who would persecute them.  They know that every day could be the last, so they live it to the fullest for Christ.

            We are blessed to live in the United States of America, where the hatred and persecution that we saw last week is much less than in other countries around the globe.  Few of us are faced with daily threats because of our religious beliefs.  Still, each day could be our last.  So, how should we live each day?

            First, I think we must support our persecuted brothers and sisters with daily prayer.  “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it…” (I Corinthians 12:26 NIV84). We may not physically join them in their suffering, but we can lift them up to the One who knows their every pain.

            Secondly, we need to stop being afraid to share our faith.  It’s time to be bold in our witness.  Satan is a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (I Peter 5:8b-9a NIV84).  Let’s each stand with the apostle Paul and say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16a NIV84). 

            If you knew that today was your last day, how would you live it?

I Corinthians 12:26                             I Peter 5:8 – 9                                  Romans 1:16

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