Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

James 4:14 

We don’t know what life will be like tomorrow. As the Bible states, we are nothing more than vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. When we confront various obstacles in life and search for meaning and the proper course of action, we must always remember these three facts:

One: We don’t know when we will die.
Two: The day of the Lord will come like a thief.
Three: Glorious kingdom of heaven waits for us.

When we confront hardships, it’s easy to become distracted and forget what is truly important. If we knew we were dying tomorrow or today, we would eliminate all frivolous thoughts and actions. We would do those things that were absolutely essential. We wouldn’t dare waste our time doing senseless and worthless things. We don’t know when our time is up. Hence, do those things that benefit our salvation and the salvation of others! Live for the good of this world and the after world!

Some parents may call me inappropriate and crass , but if I could teach children one thing, I’d say, “You’re going to die. You’re not going to live forever. It could be today, tomorrow, or years away, but you will die. So you must live each day without regrets in the face of God. Don’t get distracted! Do only the essential things!”

We don’t know when we will die, and we don’t know when the Lord will come again. In both cases, our time on earth will end. Just as the world was destroyed by water in Noah’s time, the Bible says fire will come to judge and destroy ungodly men. It doesn’t matter how great something looks or sounds or feels right now! Will it look and feel great when the world comes to an end? Since we don’t know when we will die or when the universe will burn, we must choose a life that will matter even in the face of these outcomes. We must work to save others. We must always repent. We must preach the gospel to others. Search for things that are worthy even if today was your last!

We must remember that a glorious land waits for us. We must think of this kingdom as we live in our present lives and confront all kinds of obstacles. This world isn’t the end. There is another world waiting for us. If our current actions interfere with that kingdom or counter the values of that kingdom, we must repent and change.

We must live each day as if it is our last. We don’t know when God will call us. We don’t know when the universe will come to an end. Therefore, do what is essential! Live according to the Bible, repent, and change! Eliminate everything frivolous and do those things that will matter when you die, when the Lord comes again, and when you enter the kingdom of heaven!

Summary
Ask yourselves these question:
1. Would I be doing this if I was going to die tomorrow?
2. Would I be doing this if the universe ended tomorrow?
3. Would I be doing this if there was truly a glorious kingdom waiting for me?

Click for Korean sermon