Today and That Day
Living Today in Light of Eternity
A statement commonly attributed to Martin Luther says:
“There are only two days on my calendar: today and that Day.”
Whether or not those were Luther’s exact words, the statement expresses a deeply biblical truth: the way we live today should be shaped by the Day when we will stand before Jesus Christ.
Most people realize that they will die someday, but very few live as though that day could come sooner than expected.
We plan for tomorrow, next year, retirement, vacations, purchases, and countless other things connected with this temporary life. Yet many people make little or no preparation for the one appointment no one can cancel:
“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27
Perhaps you rarely think about eternity. You may never have read the Bible for yourself. You may have attended church as a child but gradually drifted away. You may consider yourself a good person, even though you remain uncertain about where you will go when this life ends.
Whatever your background may be, I am not writing to condemn you. I am writing because Jesus spoke plainly about eternity, and everyone deserves an opportunity to understand what He said.
Jesus did not warn people about judgment because He wanted them to perish. He warned them because He came to save them.
Why Did Jesus Speak So Strongly?
Some of the strongest words Jesus ever spoke were directed toward religious leaders who appeared righteous on the outside but remained unchanged within.
He asked them:
“How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”
—Matthew 23:33
These men knew the Scriptures, attended religious gatherings, prayed publicly, and were respected by their communities. Nevertheless, Jesus warned that outward religion could not make their hearts right with God.
The warnings of Jesus were not spoken only to people society considered exceptionally wicked. They were also directed toward respectable, moral, and religious people who had never truly surrendered their hearts to God.
Jesus warned religious leaders, His disciples, and the assembled masses. Although His words were spoken nearly two thousand years ago, they remain just as relevant today.
Human nature has not changed. People still become absorbed in the cares, pleasures, possessions, and ambitions of this temporary world. We continue living as though earthly life will last forever and eternity will never arrive.
Jesus confronts that dangerous illusion.
The Most Dangerous Assumption
One of the most dangerous thoughts a person can have is:
I have plenty of time.
Jesus told a story about a wealthy man whose land produced an abundant harvest. The man decided to build larger barns and store enough possessions to enjoy many comfortable years. He prepared carefully for his future on earth, but he made no preparation for eternity.
God said to him:
“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you.”
—Luke 12:20
The man was not called foolish because he worked hard or planned for the future. He was foolish because he prepared for everything except the day he would meet God.
Jesus also warned about a servant who began living wickedly because he said in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming” (Matthew 24:48–51).
His fatal mistake was assuming that delay meant he would never be called to account.
People make that same mistake today. Because judgment does not happen immediately, they assume it will never happen. Because Christ has not yet returned, they live as though He never will. Because another morning arrives, they assume they are guaranteed many more.
God’s patience should never be mistaken for His absence.
The Lord is patient because He does not desire people to perish but wants them to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Every additional day is an expression of God’s mercy—but it is not a promise of unlimited time.
Two Roads and Two Destinations
Jesus described two roads in Matthew 7:13–14.
One road is broad and crowded. It allows people to live according to their own desires without surrendering to God. Many travel that road because it appears comfortable, demands no repentance, and permits them to remain in control of their lives.
But Jesus said that road leads to destruction.
The other road is narrow because there is only one entrance: Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
—John 14:6
Jesus did not merely come to show us the road.
He is the road.
The path to eternal life is not trusting in a church, denomination, religious ceremony, moral record, baptism, or prayer we once repeated. It is turning from our sin and self-rule, surrendering our hearts to Jesus Christ, and trusting Him and His Word by faith.
This surrender does not earn us a place in Heaven. Salvation is God’s gift of grace, purchased by the blood of Jesus and received through faith.
We surrender because we finally realize that Jesus is Lord, that we cannot rescue ourselves, and that He alone can save us.
Why Do We Need a Savior?
Many people think sin refers only to terrible crimes committed by exceptionally evil individuals. But the Bible describes sin as anything in our thoughts, desires, words, or actions that falls short of God’s holiness.
Sin includes pride, dishonesty, greed, hatred, unforgiveness, selfishness, sexual immorality, hypocrisy, and unbelief. At its heart, sin is our determination to live independently of the God who created us.
The Bible reaches a conclusion that includes every one of us:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23
That includes religious and unreligious people, the wealthy and the poor, the respected and the rejected.
It includes you, and it includes me.
We may compare ourselves with other people and conclude that we are reasonably good. But other people are not the standard by which we will be judged. God’s perfect righteousness is the standard—and none of us can meet it on our own.
That is why we need more than advice, education, religion, or self-improvement.
We need a Savior.
Why Did Jesus Die?
Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God. He entered this world, lived the perfect life we have failed to live, and willingly went to the cross.
John the Baptist identified Him as:
“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
—John 1:29
On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment sinners deserve. He was not merely a good teacher or a tragic victim. He willingly gave His life as the sacrifice for our sins.
He died, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead.
At the cross, we see two truths at the same time:
Our sin is far more serious than we imagine, and God’s love is far greater than we deserve.
The Savior who warned people about hell is the same Savior who endured the cross to rescue them from it.
Jesus is not trying to keep people out of Heaven. He came from Heaven and gave His life to open the way for sinners to be forgiven, reconciled to the Father, and given eternal life with Him.
What Does It Mean to Repent?
Jesus said:
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
—Luke 13:3
Repentance is more than feeling frightened, guilty, or sorry. It is a change of heart that produces a change of direction.
To repent means that we stop defending our sin and agree with God about it. We turn away from self-rule and turn toward Him. We surrender our supposed right to control our own lives and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.
Repentance does not mean making ourselves perfect before Jesus will receive us. We come precisely because we cannot cleanse our own hearts or change ourselves.
We bring Him our sins, pride, shame, doubts, failures, and wasted years. We ask for mercy and place ourselves in His hands.
Surrendering Our Hearts to Jesus
Coming to Jesus involves more than learning facts about Him, repeating a prayer, or adding religion to our existing way of life. It means surrendering our hearts and lives to Him.
Surrender begins when we acknowledge:
- I have sinned against God.
- I cannot save myself.
- My good deeds cannot erase my guilt.
- Jesus died in my place and rose from the dead.
- His Word is true.
- He alone is worthy of my faith, love, obedience, and trust.
Surrender is not a work by which we earn salvation. Salvation is the gift of God’s grace.
Surrender is the response of a repentant heart that stops resisting Jesus, stops depending upon itself, and places its confidence in Him.
It is saying:
“Jesus, I cannot save myself. I believe Your Word. I trust what You accomplished through Your death and resurrection. I surrender my heart, my will, my future, and my eternity to You.”
This is more than believing something about Jesus.
It is entrusting yourself to Jesus.
Trusting Jesus and His Word by Faith
Biblical faith is not wishful thinking or a blind leap into the unknown. It is trusting the character of Jesus and believing the promises He has given us in His Word.
Jesus said:
“He who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
—John 6:47
He also promised:
“The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
—John 6:37
Faith takes Jesus at His Word.
It believes that He is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, that He rose from the dead, and that He will save those who repent and come to Him.
Faith rests in what Christ has accomplished rather than in our religious achievements, changing emotions, or personal goodness.
Genuine faith also produces a new direction. We will not immediately become perfect, but we will begin to desire Christ, trust His Word, turn away from sin, and learn to follow Him.
We are not saved because we follow Jesus perfectly.
We follow Jesus because He has saved us and is changing our hearts.
Today Is the Day of Salvation
If you do not know Jesus Christ, today is the most important day on your calendar.
Today is the day to awaken.
Today is the day to repent.
Today is the day to believe.
Today is the day to surrender your heart to Jesus and place your eternal destiny into His hands.
Do not wait until you believe you have made yourself worthy. You cannot make yourself worthy, and neither can I. We come to Jesus because He alone is worthy and because His sacrifice is sufficient to save us.
Do not depend upon your church membership, baptism, good deeds, family heritage, or a prayer you repeated years ago.
Ask yourself honestly:
Have I truly repented of my sin, surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ, and placed my trust in Him and His Word by faith?
A prayer cannot save you merely because you repeat certain words. Jesus saves those who come to Him in genuine repentance and faith. Prayer can, however, express the honest surrender of a heart turning toward God:
Lord Jesus, I realize that I have sinned against You and cannot save myself. My good deeds cannot remove my guilt. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died in my place, and that You rose from the dead. I believe Your Word and trust Your promise to receive those who come to You. Please forgive me, give me a new heart, and make me Your own. I surrender my heart, my will, my future, and my eternity to You. Teach me to know You, trust You, obey You, and follow You as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Do not place your confidence in whether you said every word perfectly or experienced an immediate emotion. Place your confidence in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection.
That Day for the Believer
For those who already belong to Jesus, “that Day” carries another important meaning.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
—2 Corinthians 5:9–10
Believers in Christ will not appear before Him to determine whether His sacrifice was sufficient to save them. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Nevertheless, every believer will give an account of how he or she lived after receiving God’s gift of salvation.
Christ will evaluate our faithfulness, stewardship, works, choices, and motives. First Corinthians 3:13–15 teaches that our works will be tested. Some will remain and receive reward; others will be burned away as worthless. The believer will still be saved, but may suffer loss.
Salvation is by grace.
Rewards concern faithfulness.
We are not building a spiritual résumé to impress Jesus. Everything of eternal value in our lives is ultimately produced by His grace as we abide in Him. Nevertheless, our daily decisions matter.
Today is the day to love God wholeheartedly.
Today is the day to love our neighbors.
Today is the day to forgive.
Today is the day to share the gospel.
Today is the day to use our abilities, opportunities, time, and possessions for eternal purposes.
Today is the day to lay up treasure in Heaven.
Living Today for That Day
Yesterday cannot be recovered, and tomorrow has not been promised. Today is the day God has placed into our hands.
On that Day, the possessions, positions, recognition, and accomplishments of this world will no longer impress anyone. Questions that consume so much of our attention today will suddenly appear very small.
What will matter is whether we belonged to Jesus and what we did with the life, truth, opportunities, and resources He entrusted to us.
This message is not intended to produce hopeless fear. It is intended to awaken us to eternal purpose.
For the person who does not know Christ:
Live today in light of eternity. Repent, surrender your heart to Jesus, and trust Him by faith before the Day when your eternal destination can no longer be changed.
For the person who belongs to Christ:
Live today in light of the Day when you will give an account to the Savior who loved you and gave Himself for you.
One Day, every follower of Christ will see the face of Jesus.
I want that coming meeting to shape the decisions I make today. I want to stand before Him with confidence rather than shame. I want to hear the words every faithful servant longs to hear:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
There are only two days on my calendar:
Today and that Day.
Today is my opportunity to prepare.
That Day is when I will stand before Jesus.
The Question That Changes Everything
As you consider your life, your priorities, and your eternal destiny, ask yourself:
How should I live today in preparation for that Day?
The warnings of Jesus are serious because eternity is serious. But His warnings are also evidence of His love and mercy. He tells us the truth because He does not want us to continue traveling down a road that ends in destruction.
Today, the door of mercy remains open.
Today, Christ is still calling.
Today, you can surrender your heart to Jesus, trust Him and His Word by faith, and begin walking the road that leads to eternal life with Him.
Do not waste today. That Day is coming.
