Back in 1997, talented Aussie kids’ entertainer Colin Buchanan wrote a great song called ‘Practise being godly’. The song reminds us that the Christian life can be a bit like a race or some other kind of sport (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7,8). As Colin puts it, “You can lift big weights, you can swim or run; train everyday to be number one. But it’s better to train for the life to come. Practise being godly!”

The idea is not that we’re all part of some spiritual competition with each other, but that life here on earth is a bit like training/preparing for something greater. God’s Word promises that one day, Christ will return, that He will gather His people up to Him, and that He will bring about His glorious kingdom on earth. Finally, He will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, where all God’s people will dwell with Him for eternity. Those truths should help us keep things in perspective, and should inspire us to live by heaven’s priorities. Only that which is done for the Lord will have any significance beyond this life, and will result in an everlasting crown.

Matthew 24 reminds us of the need to be ready for Christ’s return. The first thing we must do is accept the gospel: repenting of our sins and trusting in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Because of His sacrificial death for us and His rising again for us, we need only believe, and His righteousness is ours. And if we have made that decision, then we are called to anticipate Christ’s return by living to please Him. Romans 13:12 says, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.” No longer do we need to remain enslaved in the shadows of sin and destruction, but by God’s Spirit we can let the light of His truth and grace flood in, and bring us new life and hope.

His Word is useful for “training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). So let’s practise being godly, and train for the life to come.