There is never a moment when the purity of our commitment is not being tested. Every conversation we have, every activity we engage in, and every thought we entertain presents a choice: we can stand firm on the authority of God’s Word or allow Satan to encroach on our lives. None of us are above temptation or reproach, and every day is a battle for our heart and soul (James 1:14-15).
One little crack, one moment of distraction, can not only lose the battle but cost us the war. We must always be diligent to guard against any compromise (1 Peter 5:8-9; Proverbs 4:23). Never give the devil a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:26-27). Give him an inch and he will take a mile. Give him a mile and your witness for Christ will be annihilated.
One moment of distraction is all it takes to undo a lifetime of service to God. David was a man after God’s own heart, but a single careless glance cost him his integrity and ultimately the life of his son (2 Samuel 11:2-12:22). We remember David as a great king, mighty warrior, and writer of magnificent Psalms of praise and worship. But you can’t mention David without Bathsheba coming to mind. All the great things David did in his life came crashing down because he took his eyes off God for a few seconds in time. The same fate and tragedy await each of us.
Living for Christ is like running a very long race. Some of our races are quicker than others, but short of calamity, we’re all in it for the long haul. We all begin the race full of energy and sprinting for the goal, but as time passes, we realize the finish line is a very long way away. We get tired, complacent, and some even forget the reason they’re running at all. Those rest areas along the way look more enticing with every step. We get distracted, and Satan is right there to seize his opportunity (1 Peter 5:8).
Each of us has the responsibility to finish well. It doesn’t matter if you’re 20, 60, or 90 years old. Finishing well is not only about how close you are to the end, it’s about how you will live each moment until the end comes (2 Timothy 4:7). How close death is for you is often irrelevant of your age. People die every day at every age. If we aren’t living every hour of our lives with the determination to finish well, the odds are we won’t (Hebrews 12:1-2).
One moment of distraction can mean the difference between being the least or the greatest in Heaven (Matthew 5:19). This isn’t about us elevating our own standing, but glorifying the standard of our King. Following Jesus is not a game. It’s not something we can approach with flippancy. This is war and there will be winners and there will be losers. Jesus demands our holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). He demands we forsake everything else and follow Him (Luke 14:33). Don’t let a moment of distraction cause you to forsake the One who gave His life for you (Galatians 2:19-20). Understand the weight and urgency of each moment. Stay focused and finish well.