by Bert Harned, MD

If I am only to live for say 70 years, lots of things are not worth bothering about.  But what if I am going to live forever?  In that case, some things need to change.

Out there, living in the place God is preparing for us, one thing that will matter is what we have done with the command to “make disciples.” To become a disciple, and to make disciples requires some fundamental changes in thinking, and changes in the way we spend our time and resources. The greatest change is from being utterly self-centered, to dying to self. FEW ever realize the absoluteness of this.

Jesus invited people to “come and see,” then to “come and follow me, and be with me.” And He made it easy to say “no.” Nothing forced here, no rigid course to follow, just to simply spend much time with Jesus, and exchange my will for His. That is a big change!

It results in growing love for Jesus revealed by obedience to Him, and such a person bears the fruit of the Spirit, and has a desire to pray, worship God, and do the will of God. It’s what he wants to do!

The focus changes to “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)  ”...those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit” (Romans 8:5 NLT). That presupposes that there will be a wonderful change in our thinking. It’s not about me anymore.

The fact that 1,000 sincere believers will fill a sanctuary to hear a singing group, but relentlessly avoid Bible study, prayer and don’t have time for discipleship and memorization of scripture reveals how much our miserable condition needs change. Being and making a disciple is the most exciting enterprise known to the human race, and is the only means the Scripture endorses for building His church.

Are you planning to live forever?