Whether we want to admit it or not, our “daily grind” speaks to who we are as people. It reveals our identity to others. When I say, “daily grind”, I am referring to our everyday routine. I was a bit saddened when I was researching information for this article and came across a recurring theme regarding the idea of an everyday routine. It all pointed back to this idea that it becomes mundane and monotonous. I believe we need to be very careful with this because as Christians, this cannot be so of us.
1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
We are the people of God and as the people of God, how can we ever sit back and think that the things of God is tiresome? When these kinds of thoughts creep in, this is what Peter is talking about and we are not taking heed to his warning and instruction. I used to often say that many “Christians” are living double lives, but I am beginning to reconsider that position completely altogether. For this article, that term “Christians” is not referring to the faithful child of God. It refers to those who call themselves that, but their lives are far from that reality. These individuals are not living double lives. They are showing us and God exactly who they are. Someone who lives a double life is fooling those around them. I am sure you have heard stories of men who get away with having two separate families without either one of them knowing about the other. Those who are successful in keeping this a secret are living double lives. Once those secrets are revealed, the double life comes crashing down and it is no longer a double life. In the grand scheme of things, we know that God knows about everything, and He will handle all of that at the judgment.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
My point is that people are just bad liars. So many of them fail to realize that we can see right through their deception and lies. When the daily grind consists of everything but God, you don’t think that it will not become apparent? Think about the innocent secrets that we begin to keep from others. Those do not stay innocent for very long and eventually lead to the reality that they will become more complex. As this trend grows (think of the snowball effect), consequences become greater or more problematic. In all the secret keeping, more time and energy is spent on weaseling our way out of our current problems without ever considering the end results. This is why Peter tells us to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against our souls. We tell our own children all the time to just tell us the truth the first time so that we can move on. Yet so many live in a way that is not truthful. Their daily grind is filled with mundane, monotonous worldly problems. With God, this is not so!
2 Timothy 2:3,12 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ…If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
If our daily grind proves that we are failing to endure, then we will not be saved. Eternal life in Heaven is not given to us despite ourselves as some claim that it is. There are conditions that must be met. Our faith must show a change in our hearts and actions. Endurance and being faithful is not optional. Failing to obey the Gospel will lead to eternal destruction away from the presence of God and how do I know this? Am I saying this because I am trying to be a gatekeeper to Heaven?
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power
I am not worthy to be the gatekeeper to Heaven. I need all the help I can get because God knows that I still sin from time to time. God also knows that I have taken steps in my life to change. There must be a transformation in our lives that shows others that we are no longer the same person as we were before. This transformation comes through the power of the gospel and knowledge of God. When we do not know God and do not obey the gospel, it shows in our lives. That daily grind will tell us everything that we need to know. Hell is not going to be bad because of how hot it is. It is going to be bad because we are going to be away from the presence of the Almighty God and His love. To be alone for all eternity and never experience Him. We will be wishing for Him to just annihilate us but that is not the reality. We will be fully aware of our circumstances in eternity.
Why not start implementing some minor changes in your life today? Instead of watching TV, try to read or pray. Lead your families to the Lord. These minor changes in your life can make all the difference in the world for eternity. Don’t miss out on Heaven.
by Lee Elkins
