2:115 – Endgame or New Phase?

#faithbites #faithjourney endgame

Avenger’s Endgame opens in the United States tonight. This is the culmination of 11 years, 22 movies, and hours upon hours of entertainment. At the end of the 3 hours and 2 minutes, we will learn the fate of many of our heroes. There will be laughs, tears, chuckles, action, adventure, theories, and wonder. But is it the end? Of Course not. Phase 4 is right around the corner but we don’t know what that will bring.

The Bible consists of two testaments, 66 books (in the Protestant Bible), ~4,000 years of history, and a future that has yet to happen. We see the beginning in Genesis, we see the Crucifixion of our Lord, the beginning of the Church, and what it will look like during the Endgame of humanity. While the Bible is written, what happens before the end of days to us is not. We can chose to fade into dust or we can follow Christ and be part of God’s plan to love him and love each other. I for one can’t wait to be part of Christ’s Endgame with him.

Scripture

• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
• If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come. You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. – Job 14:14-16
• And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. – Matthew 25:46

Reflection

For Christians, John 3:16 is a cornerstone of faith. We have salvation because of our belief in Christ, who died on the cross for us. We know that if we believe we will not be snapped out of existence but live forever in his presence. Job shows us that God watches and knows our actions (steps) but keeps no record of sin. You don’t get to heaven by good works, but good work help to show that you love God and you love each other. This passage also shows that God longs for us as a parent longs for their child. We are his masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10).

In Matthew we see that the evil will perish and go to eternal punishment and the righteous into eternal life. We have a choice in what to believe. We also have a choice in how we interact with each other. Do we chose to be kind, loving, and share the Gospel or do we keep to our selves and not share the love of Christ? While each of us do this differently, believing in Christ involves following his example to the best of our ability. And when we fail, which we will, we are not erased from the universe but forgiven and saved.

Charge

Do you see an endgame for you in darkness or light? Are you following Jesus to the best of your ability? Think about what the end looks like for you. Then determine if your story is over or you are just beginning your #faithjourney.

Prayer

Lord of Mercy, help us to realize that the only endgame is with you. That you have given us instructions and taught us well. Remind us that we will fall multiple times but you will be their to wipe the dust off of us and help us write the next phase of our story, which is a continuation of your story. Be with us until the end of the age. In your name, Amen.