Apparently, I’ve been unaware of an acronym that has become a mental attitude for living out their limited time here on Planet Earth.
Many young folks are using YOLO to make a statement to their peer group. Well, there’s really nothing new in their tainted rationale.
To an extent, I agree with their statement of existence, but there’s much more to discuss on this subject than a catchy acronym.
Scripture has much to say on the subject and purpose of life.
In the creation account we read in Genesis 2:7: “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
We are His greatest creation designed to give Him pleasure and live for His purpose. That’s enough from God’s Word for now.
The term YOLO insinuates that we only have one life and we might as well enjoy it while we can.
I understand that this phrase is used quite frequently in Las Vegas as many lose small fortunes on the tables of chance.
On the flip side, some use the term to justify the hoarding of their accumulated wealth in hoping they will have just enough to enjoy the pleasures of life to the very end of their earthly existence.
In other words, they selfishly address life here on Earth and have no concern for what lies after worldly death.
The question we need to truly address is “How long is life?” Is it temporal or eternal?
For my first 40 years I lived as if it was temporal. Then, my Savior and Lord drew me into His eternal kingdom and my Epicurean attitude departed from the scene.
You see, God’s Word presents life as eternal. Our earthly body will deteriorate, but our soul will live on forever and ever.
This conceptual truth allows followers of Christ to develop a totally new attitude. We realize that we are accountable for our lives and need to live according to God’s Word.
Let’s return to Scripture.
In Romans 12:1-2, we are instructed by the Apostle Paul how to live out the remainder of our short lives. “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Now let’s talk about this “one life” concept. As Christians, we are taught that we must die to self and be born again.
In essence, we potentially have two lives and one death — as we surrender our will to God. We are actually trading in our old existence into an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.
This new life brings us into a wonderful relationship with the Holy Spirit (our Comforter). Our eyes are opened to God’s Word and we have a peace that did not exist before our decision to follow Christ.
From the beginning of the creation story, God has planned to spend eternity with those who humbly come to his throne.
That’s the only destination you will want as this worldly life comes to an end. We are citizens of Heaven through God’s grace and His Son’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
I trust you will see the light and join me in the Heavenlies!