Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Paul Washer to discuss what it means to live in light of eternity. Paul, known for his passionate preaching and deep love for Christ, shared profound insights that challenged and encouraged me. I want to share some of the key takeaways from our conversation.
The Weight of Eternity
We began our discussion with the familiar phrase, "live in light of eternity." Paul emphasized that Christianity deals with extraordinary things - the meaning of life, the consequence of death, God's judgment, and eternity itself. When we compare these weighty matters to our brief earthly existence, described in Scripture as a vapor or grass that quickly withers, it becomes clear that everything we do here must be in light of eternity.
Paul pointed out the inconsistency of professing belief in these eternal realities while living as if this life is all that matters. He stressed the importance of constantly reminding ourselves and others of the extraordinary things that await us. As preachers and believers, we must set before people the reality that our "best life now" pales in comparison to eternity.
Beyond Self-Interest: The Greatest Motivation
While living in light of eternity is a powerful motivator, Paul surprised me by saying it's not the greatest. He cautioned against focusing solely on our eternal welfare, which can become self-centered. Instead, he pointed to an even greater motivation: living for Christ, who died for us.
Paul directed us to 2 Corinthians 5, where we see both motivations at play. Verse 10 speaks of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ, which Paul acknowledges as a motivation. However, he emphasized verse 14 as the supreme motivator: "For the love of Christ controls us."
This shift in focus - from our love for Christ to Christ's love for us - was profound. Paul explained that while our love can be fickle and changing, Christ's love for us, demonstrated at Calvary, is the constant, compelling force that should drive our lives.
The Centrality of the Cross
Throughout our conversation, Paul repeatedly returned to the cross. He shared how, as a young man, he decided to focus his studies on understanding the cross of Christ above all else. This lifelong meditation on who Jesus is and how He suffered has become a controlling force in Paul's life and ministry.
Paul's passion was evident as he spoke about the love of God demonstrated at Calvary. He challenged believers, especially young Christians, to remember that there's only one hero in our story - Jesus Christ. Our best deeds, even our most passionate moments of service, fall short. It's Christ's work, not ours, that secures our salvation and should fuel our devotion.
Embracing Weakness, Exalting Christ
One of the most striking aspects of our conversation was Paul's emphasis on personal weakness. Rather than presenting himself as a spiritual giant, he repeatedly referred to himself as "normal" and "average." He spoke of God choosing "the runt of the litter" and how our weaknesses serve to magnify God's strength.
This perspective was both humbling and liberating. Paul encouraged believers not to be self-absorbed or to strive for some perceived level of spirituality. Instead, he urged us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. In his words, "for every inward glance, give ten long gazes upon Christ."
The Joy of Undeserved Grace
As we discussed the love of God, Paul shared how this truth produces deep gratitude and joy in the believer's life. He referenced Peter's response to Jesus' miracle in Luke 5, where Peter says, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Paul explained that as we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we're often overwhelmed by the seemingly "unfair" kindness of God toward sinners like us.
This realization - that we're recipients of undeserved grace - should shape our entire perspective. Paul emphasized that in heaven, our boast won't be in our accomplishments for Christ, but in what Christ has done for us. "We're only recipients," he said, "and even if you give your life as a martyr or serve in the mission field, not I, but the grace of God did it."
Growing in Holiness and Dependence
Towards the end of our conversation, Paul shared a personal reflection on sanctification. While he acknowledged disappointment in his progress in personal holiness, he noted one aspect of sanctification that has "grown like a rocket" - his recognition of his absolute need for Calvary and grace.
This increasing awareness of our dependence on Christ is, in itself, a form of spiritual growth. As Paul put it, "As the years progress... now I realize, it's all Him." This deepening understanding of God's grace makes His love more amazing, His grace more unthinkable, and service to Him the only rational response.
Conclusion: Nothing to See Here but Christ
As our time together drew to a close, I found myself deeply moved by Paul's earnestness and humility. His constant refrain of "There's nothing to see here" when referring to himself, coupled with his passionate exaltation of Christ, was both challenging and inspiring.
While Paul humbly deflected attention from himself, I couldn't help but see in him an example worth following - not because of any inherent greatness, but because of his relentless focus on Christ. As we seek to live in light of eternity, may we, like Paul, find our motivation not primarily in future rewards, but in the present reality of Christ's love demonstrated at Calvary. May our lives be marked by a growing dependence on grace and an increasing exaltation of the only true hero of our faith - Jesus Christ.
