Only One Life — E.A. Johnston

Life's Vanity and the One Opportunity of Life

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we find King Solomon at the end of his life. He was a man who had seen it all, had it all, done it all, and was sick and tired of it all. And like old men usually do, he's looking back on his life, and he's full of regret.

You only get one go around in life, friends, and how you live it cannot be undone. What's done is done. And as Solomon is surveying his full life, he keeps saying over and over again, all is vanity, vanity, vanity.

Solomon's Conclusion: Fear God and Keep His Commandments

And he ends his treatise with the admonition, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Then it's as if he sets his pen down for a moment as he gets reflective, and he gazes out on the setting sun of the horizon, and he lifts his hand, and he points his finger to a common day, and he closes with this dramatic and prophetic declaration.

God's Judgment of Every Secret Thing

For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. And it brings to my mind, friends, what Stephen Olford always told me time and time again when he would quote this little poem to me, the one that changed the direction of his life.

Living for What Lasts Eternally

Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last. And as I look at my own life now, that I am an old man, and like Solomon, I have my regrets for not doing more for God. If only I had told more people about Jesus more.

If only I had prayed to Jesus more. If only I'd given my time to Jesus more. If only I'd given my money to Jesus more. If only I'd done this and avoided that so Jesus could have done more through my life.

Trusting Christ's Faithfulness Through Failure and Suffering

If only I'd loved Jesus more. Lord Jesus, I know you are a Savior who loved me and gave himself for me. You've been by my side all these long years now, Lord, since you saved me as a boy way back in 1968.

I've failed you many times since then, but you never once failed me. You've picked me up when I've fallen down. You've strengthened me when I was weak. You gave me hope when hope was gone. You've been my faithful friend through thick and thin, through tears of grief and through agony and loss.

You've stood beside me at many graves. You've stood beside me when no one else would. You never ever once gave up on me. I'm not worthy of your love, Lord. I don't deserve all you've done for me. At my darkest hour, you've been my light.

At my deepest despair, you've always been there, loving on me, holding me. You were nailed to that cross because you were everlasting love for me. My filthy, wretched sins were the rusty iron nails that fastened you there.

Christ's Unfailing Presence and Sacrifice

I've disappointed you time and time again, but you've never once disappointed me. You've always been there for me. Jesus of Nazareth, my true and faithful friend, you will be with me to the very end. You bled and died and gave your all for me.

At Calvary, you held nothing back, and I shall never ever forget.