“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption…” Acts 13:36.

This testimony by God of King David tells us that not only did David fulfill the will of God for his life, but that “he had served his own generation”. Our own generation, this my friends is all we can do, serve our own generation, and when our time is up, it is up.

No do overs, no oopsies, no second chances. This is what the following cryptic words mean in the book of Ecclesiastes.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10.

The fact that the Preacher says that there is no work… knowledge or wisdom in the grave does not mean that man dies like a dog and ceases to exist. It means that men go to heaven or hell and there can be no more things that they can do which will affect the living on earth.

The unpleasant truth is that in time the dead are forgotten and they become just another graying tombstone.

However, the Preacher also says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” this is a message for the living!

Here is the Apostle Paul’s response to numerous prophesies which told him of the many miseries he was going to endure if he continued his journey to Jerusalem.

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24.

Below we see the Apostle Paul’s testimony of his impending death.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

The apostle is looking for a “crown of righteousness” from the Lord when he enters His presence, and he adds these important words, “and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

For those who think that the crowns are for giants like Paul and the 12 apostles like John, Peter, James and others, need to look at the phrase quoted above. Paul speaks to all Christians here, “but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

All Christians will love Jesus Christ’s appearing to take us to heaven to be with Him for eternity; however, God gives us the following warning, consider it carefully.

“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28.

The words, “little children” means that the Apostle John is speaking to all Christians, not just a select few super Christians, all of us. All Christians represent Christ on earth, every one of us!

To abide in Christ is to make Him the center of our life, to read God’s word, to gather with other believers for fellowship, worship, and encouragement in Jesus Christ. Christians who show Jesus in their lives can have an enormous impact on those around them.

They may mock you, shun you, and avoid you, but they cannot ignore you.

Jesus was loving, truthful, kind, gentle, caring, peaceful. Jesus was not judgmental, not quick to anger, vengeful, or one to hold a grudge.

To abide in Jesus, Christians must first determine to focus on Him, to learn more about Him through Bible study, the entire New Testament teaches us what Jesus is like, and what He is not like, see Galatians 5:13-23 for instance.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4.

The word knowledge is mentioned twice above, the Christian gains quite a bit of knowledge when they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior because the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in them.

However, the Holy Spirit expects us to grow through study of the Scriptures and if we want to know precious promises and become partakers of the divine nature its going to take persistence, study and meditation on God’s word the Bible.

But, you say, “I am in prison… I am sickly, bedridden, or crippled, I am fearful, I am shy, I am ruined and forgetful through drug abuse, I am burdened with too many responsibilities, I am alone.”

My beloved, no matter how deep the pit is or how low you have sunken in the muck, this is what you are in Jesus:

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…”1 Peter 2:9.

No Christian is a nobody when they abide in Jesus, but too many lose great opportunities because of life’s temporary distractions from a godly life.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2.

Serving Our Own Generation taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 11-9-24 ck.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.