Live Like You Were Dying

Live Like You Were Dying

Romans 13:11-12

We are going to consider this question… "What would it mean to live like we were dying?" If you got word today that you only had 30 days to live, how would your life change? How would you spend your time? How would it impact your relationships? How would you prepare for eternity? What would you do that you’ve never done before? How would God want you to live those 30 days?

The truth is: we are all "terminal." Ecclesiastes 8:8a (NLT) says, "None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death…"

The grave does not mark the end of our existence. Psalm 90:5-6 says, "You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered." The Bible teaches that the choices and decisions I make in this life have a defining impact on my future in eternity.

In John 10:10 (KJV) Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Romans 13:11-12 says, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:11-12).

Live with a Sense of Urgency

Although we know that we only have a limited time here, we sometimes begin to live and act as if we will be here forever.

Many of us here suffer from the "someday syndrome."

Living with urgency doesn’t mean living faster or busier.

Matthew 6:27-30 - He said,

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Just as we must let God’s grace and mercy cover the past, we must let God’s care and providence cover our future.

The Psalmist declares in Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The first challenge of this series is to "embrace today."

I would like to declare the next seven days as a "No regret" week.

Live with a Sense of Eternity

Even a lot of Christians live like there is nothing beyond the grave.

The Bible is absolutely clear that to be prepared for eternity, you must be born again. You must personally receive the gift of salvation made possible by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Paul is reminding us that this world isn’t our final home.

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:18, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Live with a Sense of Priority

Paul challenges us in Romans 13:12, "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. "

We must have clear priorities and we must identify the things that keep us from living for that which is most important.

"Take off" your frantic pace of life.

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

As part of God’s top ten list, he gave us the command to observe a Sabbath.

"Take off" your frantic pursuit of the good life.

"Put on" more time for relationships.

In the spirit of "living with a sense of urgency," let me challenge you. This week, how will you make relationships a greater priority? Who do you need to get with for an unhurried lunch? Don’t let your good intentions turn to painful regrets.