Living our lives to the fullest is something the Christian life and worldly life will never fully agree on. Their idea of a rich and rewarding life is very different from ours. All rational people, whether Christian or not, long to live a good life and make each day meaningful. Importantly, this isn’t a topic only for the old; it’s a vital consideration for the young as well. After all, the ending of a life is often shaped by its beginning. Older people tend to be set in their ways. That isn’t a bad thing if those ways are good. It’s okay to have habits, as long as they are good habits. It’s fine to enjoy routines, as long as they are good routines.
My point is, we usually determine the course our lives will take. The stance we take today will shape the stance we take tomorrow. That is why Solomon, in all his wisdom, once wrote, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Ecclesiastes 12:1
Over time, I’ve noticed that we often become exaggerated versions of ourselves. I’ve known grumpy people who grew even grumpier, and kind people who became even kinder. As we age, these amplified versions of ourselves emerge; let’s ensure that this growth results in the best possible version of who we really desire to be. To do that, we must reflect on our life’s direction. Without discipline or guiding principles, we risk wasting our time. Hard work and setting goals are essential; otherwise, we achieve little. Medical science can extend our days, but only God gives them meaning. Therefore, our goal should be to live a full and meaningful life, which we owe to God, our families, and ourselves.
This principle is clearly demonstrated in Scripture. The Bible recounts the story of a young man named Stephen, who lived a good life, even if it was a short one. His impact was measured by his sacrifices, not by how long he lived, as he gave everything in service to his Lord. Stephen’s story begins with God’s work in the early church: miracles occurred, conversions took place, but then Stephen was falsely accused before the Sanhedrin. If he had been cautious, he might have navigated past the persecution. However, Stephen saw an opportunity to serve his Lord, and he seized it. Stephen defended Christ on earth. Even as he was being stoned and his young life was leaving him, Jesus stood up for him in Heaven. We are told that “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” Acts 7:55. What a glorious moment that must have been as Jesus stood to welcome His first recorded martyr home.
When a young person dies, people often say it was before their time. But who are we to claim that anyone dies before their appointed time? We might feel as if we’re guaranteed 70 or 80 years. However, the Bible makes no such promise. Instead, it tells us we can live full lives in Christ, regardless of how long our days are. For the Christian walking in God’s will, death will come at the appointed time. Paul avoided death multiple times, while death seemingly claimed Stephen with just one major attempt. In Stephen’s case, God accomplished several things. I believe that Stephen’s death had a direct impact on Saul of Tarsus, who later became the apostle Paul. The people who stoned Stephen laid their coats at the feet of young Saul. Although Stephen didn’t have many converts, I think he influenced at least one, who later became one of the most powerful figures in church history.
Ultimately, each of us will stand before God and account for our lives. To live well now, with an eye to Heaven, we must consider: how do we accomplish living well in this sinful world? Jesus answers this question in Matthew 16:24-25: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me…” Let’s explore what these words truly mean for us.
First, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves. Simply put, denying ourself means resisting the urge to disobey God. To become proficient at self-denial, we start by remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross. Practice focusing on the Father’s love and responding with self-denial every day. Once we learn to shift our attention away from ourselves and toward the Lord and the needs of others, then we will be ready for step two.
Second, Jesus calls us to take up our cross. To become like Jesus, we must imitate His patterns and habits. Self-denial and taking up your cross can seem similar, but they are distinct. Jesus practiced self-denial long before He took up His cross. The cross, which was the burden of responsibility the Son of God accepted, could only be taken up after self-denial prepared the way. Likewise, after we commit to consistent self-denial, we become prepared to embrace the calling God has upon our lives. Taking up your cross means accepting the responsibility God has given you to follow Jesus’ example. Now, this does not mean simply adding a religious layer to your current life; rather, it involves completely restructuring your life in accordance with the principles of Jesus’ kingdom. You re-evaluate, re-order, and re-orient every aspect of your life under the kingship of Jesus.
Third, Jesus calls us to follow Him. One way to describe this is as a call to live a life of devotion to Christ and to distance ourselves from the values of the world. It’s not a call to withdraw from the world (because the world needs to be reached), but rather a call to reject the world’s values. This includes recognizing a duty to God and fulfilling our obligations, including those to family, neighbors, and country. You’re not necessarily called to “do big things for God.” Instead, you’re called to be faithful in what you have been given. Our Lord has a divine purpose for each of us. These purposes include the jobs and relationships that define everyday life. We fulfill our purpose by overcoming the forces of sin and chaos in the world and bringing them into subjection to Christ.
When you learn to consistently deny yourself, take on your responsibilities, and live to follow Christ, you will find a deeper meaning, even in an ordinary life. This is because you will grow closer to Christ and bear fruit, and know that your efforts are pleasing to the God who loves you. These are some ways to live a good life on this earth.
But the journey doesn’t end here. I know that I fail God daily, and I long for perfection. One day, I know that this pursuit will be fulfilled.
Philippians 3:12: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
Now, there are a lot of words in this verse, so let’s unpack them. First, Paul recognizes that Christ has already seized him and given him a divine purpose. “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” So, Christ took hold of Paul, and he did it for a purpose. “…that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Jesus is a very purposeful being. He does everything and allows everything for a reason. Thus, Jesus took hold of Paul for a reason. The reason stated here is to accomplish Paul’s perfection. Because of his knowledge of this, Paul presses on: “I press on to take hold of my perfection, which is why Jesus took hold of me in the first place.” Paul’s assurance rests entirely on Jesus’s unwavering grip. Paul states that today he strives to live well, assured that one day he will live perfectly. We should do likewise.
Yet, in knowing this certainty, does Paul become passive? Not at all. He doesn’t abandon prayer, fasting, worship, or witnessing just because his final destination is guaranteed. That’s not Paul’s mindset. Rather, Paul insists on “…reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14. We know there is no perfection in this flesh. Instead, there is a guarantee of perfection in Heaven, and a continuous effort and struggle toward it on the earth. We should be willing to make extreme efforts for our sanctification. We must destroy pride by humbling ourselves. Destroy lust by, perhaps, making some lifestyle changes. Destroy laziness by asking someone to hold us accountable. I am talking about making vigorous efforts toward holiness and being willing to do whatever it takes to become more like Jesus; pressing, striving, and straining. Can you join me today in saying, “Today, I am doing my best to live well until the day I can live perfectly?”
In closing, it is important for you to be completely confident that someday you will be perfect. This means to be fully convinced that someday no sin will ever trouble you again. It means being absolutely certain that Jesus will get what He ultimately desires, which is seeing you presented faultless before His Father in Heaven. If not, please receive Christ as your Savior today.
Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry nearly fifty years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.