One of these days you and I will be part of the greatest assembly ever when we appear before the Judge of all the earth to give account of the deeds we have done while living in our physical bodies (2 Corinthians 5:10). Talk about a moment of truth! What a moment of revelation as the hidden secrets of our hearts are exposed and judged (Romans 2:16)!
By His mercy, for some, God has given the gift of today to experience forgiveness and begin a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). For others, God has given the gift of today with the opportunity to repent and be restored to fidelity. For the rest, God has given the gift of today with the occasion to serve with joy, expressing to Him our deep love and gratitude.
Love and gratitude are the greatest of motivators. We see it in our filial relationships: Moms and Dads go to the greatest lengths to care for and to comfort their new-born babies, to provide for and to nurture their young sons and daughters as they develop into adulthood. Grown children, with hearts of love and gratitude, will do everything in their power to help and comfort their parents as they face the sometimes difficult challenges of their golden years.
However, there is another relationship that is more vitally important to us than even this blood kinship. It is a unique spiritual relationship with our Heavenly Father that was made possible by the blood of Jesus our Savior! “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Our love and gratitude for the sacrifices of our Heavenly Father and the gift of His only begotten Son motivate us for diligent daily service in the kingdom of heaven. As John put it, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Let’s serve Him!
