March 13
Do It with All Your Might!
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”
2 Corinthians 5: 10.
(Note: This is a reading from my latest forthcoming volume Daily Readings. It is a devotional from Christian Focus Press, Due out the Fall of 2024).
This truth I might further urge from the very words of the text, they were written on purpose by Paul to stir up Timothy and all the godly to press hard after this very thing. But to [re]mind you of some other scriptures that press it hard [on us] as a duty.
That this is the duty and wisdom of those that fear God, you may see by Christ’s exhortation to watchfulness, and to prepare for his second coming: “Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour you think not, the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24: 44). These words, as they are spoken to stir up the godly to be ready to meet their Lord at his coming. So, because the godly must meet him as well in his judgments and providences here as at his personal appearance at the last day. Therefore, they should be diligent to be fitting themselves to meet him in all such dispensations. “And because,” saith God, “I will do this unto thee; prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (Amos 4:12).
Now death is one of the most certain of those dispensations. Yes, such that it leaves to those no help or means to perform forever that which you should want it what is lacking to your work. Wherefore Solomon also doth press us to this very work and from this consideration: “whatsoever thy hand finds to do—do it with thy might. For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Baulk [hesitate] nothing of your duty, neither defer to do it. For you are on your way to thy grave and there you cannot finish anything that by neglect you have left undone. Therefore, be diligent while life lasts.