1 Corinthians 15:52-55 – “For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”

This morning, as I awoke, read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God, I found my thoughts turning to human mortality: no, not morbidity, but the brevity of humans on earth.  In the past few months, several people (younger than me) with whom I attended high school have finished their earthly journey.

The thought that filled my heart was, what is our legacy? What are we leaving behind?  (Not the material but eternal things). How have we impacted others, especially those near us?  Are we fulfilling our assignment, pursuing our life purpose, and manifesting Jesus?

Some hear that and conclude negatively, believing they have not fulfilled their purpose, and give up.  That’s wrong!  Who knows if one word, one act, one moment in time might eternally impact a life.

How much time do any of us have?  Although we cannot answer that, we are not God.  We can seize the day and make the most of every moment. Pursuing God’s purposes can be costly.  It could cost us everything (naturally or materially), but we gain everything (eternally).

Three errors are costly:

• Pursuing the way of Cain = works.  Trying to earn our way in. Grace is the key, mercy is the door, and love is the power. 
• Pursuing the error of Baalam = money or material things. That encompasses the whole spectrum of the flesh (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life). 
• Pursuing the rebellion of Korah = power and position. Having preeminence, recognition, and the ability to control.
  Earth.

Revelation 1:6 says that we have been made a spiritual kingdom.  While we have life in our mortal bodies, we have the opportunity to be that kingdom and manifest Him on earth.   What is our legacy?  Is it His legacy or ours?  Can we be empty of self to the point that He is our life?

What if tomorrow never comes for us on Earth? What will we have left behind? Yes, thoughts of human mortality can be morbid, but they do not have to be. The greatest words we could ever hear are – “Well done! Enter in!” No questions, no explanation, no remorse, Enter in!

Life on Earth will not last forever; there will be a final day here, but that is no reason to fear.   Jesus in our hearts gives us peace!