We’ve seen before how the spiritual life is one of looking forward, and not dwelling on our past failures. A big part of living your spiritual life to the fullest is to understand what the future holds for you.

2 Peter 3:10-14

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

Understanding that everything in this world will be destroyed with intense heat accentuates the futility and vanity of living for the things of this world, which will all be destroyed in God’s timing. That’s why Jesus said this:

Luke 9:25

25 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Once we realize this future, our scale of values becomes quite different. The fact is that many of the things we hold so dear in life will one day pass away. The things that should have the highest value for us now should be the things that will survive this destruction. When you think about this, it will help you identify what is truly real, and what has permanent value right now! What are some things that will survive?

1. Eternal salvation through faith alone in Christ alone.
2. The resurrection body that God gives us after we die.
3. Blessings that God has deposited for us in heaven, whether we receive them or not!
4. The infallible Word of God.

Isaiah 40:8

8 The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the word of our God stands forever.

Matthew 24:35

35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

The Word of God that you learn will benefit you for all of eternity. Keeping that eternal perspective gives you great ability to handle anything that comes your way.

What is your first priority? Is it something that this world has to offer? Or is it something that will survive for all eternity?

Think about it this way. What a tragedy it would be to come to the realization that your life is ending, and when you look back you see that everything you have attained that man calls success has absolutely no meaning for all of eternity.