3 Guarantees of Time

One has said, “every time a child is born, a grave is opened.”  While this sounds rather morbid, it is an insightful idea on the transitory nature of our existence on Earth.  It is interesting that virtually the whole of humanity feels as if time passes by very quickly and that life is fleeting.  Over time, we change as individuals.  Childhood turns into adulthood.  New skin turns into wrinkles.  Sharp wit turns into a forgetful mind.  Eagle vision turns into myopia. The joy of “just married” turns into the harsh reality of widowhood. Through the years, the world also changes.  Phrases like, “It seems like yesterday when gas was under fifty cents a gallon” and “I remember when children were taught discipline” are common sentiments expressed among the older generation that indicate how much the times have changed.

From the Christian worldview, there are some things that do not change.  Here are some guarantees from Scripture in regards to time:

The first guarantee is that time is short.  Notice that I said “time” and not “life”.  From the biblical perspective, life is not limited and bound up in the earthly existence.  Life will continue beyond the earthly gravesite. Physical death can be defined in the following way: “the body without the spirit is dead” (James 2:26). So then physical death is the temporary separation of the body from the spirit.  Therefore, one’s earthly existence (defined in ‘time’) commences in physical birth and ceases at physical death. James describes the elusive and transitory nature of earthly life poignantly: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:13–14).  There are many uncertainties in life, but one thing that we can be sure of is that time on Earth is short.

A second guarantee of Scripture is that death and judgment are sure.  Mankind is divided over many things, but if the Bible is true, we are all in the same boat when it comes to death and judgment.  Scripture teaches it “is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). There will be a great reckoning and settling of accounts: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10).  You won’t hear that message preached much today!  However, this message will ring true whether or not it’s in vogue.   The basis of judgment is the word of Christ: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Through inspiration, Daniel envisioned two potential destinies of mankind at this judgment: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt” (Dan 12:2).  If we believe in the veracity of the word of God, we must believe not only that death is guaranteed, but also the judgment.

Lastly, and as a logical conclusion to the aforementioned guarantees, life is infused with meaning and eternal significance because life does not end at the tomb. Because life is a “vapor,” we ought to live with a sense of urgency and intentionality.  Every moment matters!  We are not guaranteed the next breath (Pro. 27:1) and therefore should live each moment as if it were our last. The New Testament emphasizes “seizing each day” by living purposefully and carefully: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15–16).  We are to use every opportunity to do good: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10).  The chances are someone that we love will not be here next year.  Will we show them we love them or waste time in quarrel and strife?  Will we influence them for good or will we make their lives miserable? When we leave Earth, how will we be remembered?  More importantly, what will God think of us at the judgment?

While each child born does indeed “open a grave,” it also opens the potential for an eternity of joy with God.  May we all live today with a sense of urgency, intentionality and purpose.