Focus on Eternal Things, Not on Earthly Things

“God’s bucket of forgiveness is always bigger than your bucket of sin.”

The truth of this statement can be found in another passage from the book of Ephesians.

“Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms with Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:4-7

In these few verses, the apostle Paul emphasizes the vast riches of God’s mercy and grace. Even while we were still spiritually dead, still tangled in sin, still enemies of His kingdom, He acted through Christ to bring us to life. It is impossible to sin too much for God’s grace to reach you, recover you, and restore you. 

In light of God’s mercy and grace, and with the perspective of our eternal hope in Christ, we are reminded that the struggles of this life are ultimately temporary. This reminder can help us to control our reaction when irritations and trials arise. 

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What does it mean that you “have more life ahead of you than you do behind you”? For believers, whatever your age, you have eternity to look forward to with Christ. How does this perspective inform your reaction and response to the world around you here and now?