At most funeral services, you’ll find grieving friends and family members with deep regrets. If only I had… while he was still alive. If only I’d said… to her before she died. The “if only’s” and the sudden sense of our mortality can overwhelm.
Paul urges us to regard this swift passing of time in our lives by showing love to those around us, understanding that our days on this earth will come to an end. Jesus promised that He will return again to bring judgment and inaugurate the new heavens and the new earth. Are you ready for that?
“Clothe yourselves with Christ.” Paul also says in Galatians, “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (5:16). When we clothe ourselves with Christ, we will avoid forbidden behaviors we all know are wrong.
We will instead use well the time we have been granted, seeking peace in relationships and honoring Him while it is still called today. Since we know Christ won the battle over sin for us, we are free to love others lavishly right now.