Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1 – 6:13
“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:8-10).
Steven Lawson once asked this rhetorical question, “Why are we, as Christians still alive? Why don’t we go to heaven the moment we are born again? The worship is a whole lot better there. There is no sin, no pain, no suffering.” Paul understood this. Paul knew how much better heaven would be compared to staying here on earth, and he lived awaiting that day. Nonetheless, Paul knew why he was still here on earth. His purpose was to please God and complete the ministry that God entrusted him to do in his lifetime.
Men who are greatly used by God know this. When asked about God’s good providence in regard to COVID-19, Rev. Stephen Tong said, “the reason why I have yet to succumb to this virus in my old age is because my work on earth is yet to be completed”.
The reason why we as Christians are still here on earth is that God has a plan to use our lives for the expansion of His kingdom. Ponder about that seriously. God has a plan for your life. He has a calling for you that must be completed in this world. That call starts from a call of obedience to God’s Word and a submissive heart to his will.
As Paul testifies, because of what Christ has done and the love of Christ, we are ambassadors for Christ to proclaim the ministry of reconciliation. Christ was the one who reconciled us with God. He was not sinful, yet He took on our sin in Himself so that in return, we could be clothed with the righteousness of Christ and be reconciled to God. We who were once separated from God because of sin can now come to Him because of what Christ has done.
If we take this calling seriously, our day to day lives ought to change. Even in the midst of lockdown, we must know that every second counts. I know how difficult it is to keep focused in these times. And it is not only in these times. Our culture and age is a fast-paced one that never rests nor has a clear focus. However, we must learn to focus our lives on what really matters. We must see everything we do through the lens of God’s calling for our lives.
Our strength in doing so comes from knowing Christ’s love for us. Paul says, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Does the love of Christ control and compel us to live for Him? We must continue to humbly ask God to reveal Himself to us that we may learn to love Christ more.
Lord, please help us to live for you with the one life that we have. It is so easy to lose focus and start living our days for ourselves in vain. Please reveal to us Your calling for our lives. We also humbly ask that You may reveal Your love even more to us, that we may grow in knowing You. Forgive us for our weakness and constant susceptibility to sin. Give us victory over sin because You have won the ultimate victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.