LOOKING TO THE END

JEREMIAH 5:3

A. "WHAT WILL YE DO IN THE END THEREOF?"
  1. To look to the end is the mark of a wise man in every region of life:
    1. He is not content with present appearance
    2. He seeks out causes and from causes knows something of consequences
  2. A prudent businessman is not seduced by immediate success:
    1. He calculates what will be the probable ultimate result to his business
    2. He will not enter into bargains unless he can see what it will mean in the long run B. LOOKING TO THE END
  3. The end defined:
    1. The word "end" when speaking about human life, means more than the mere termination, the point where it ceases
    2. It means, also, an end in purpose; Examples: "Christ is the end of the law to everyone that believeth" - Rom. 10:4. What does that mean? Not that Christ came to do away with the law - Matt. 5:17-19, but that the righteousness required of the law is found in Christ - 1 Cor. 1:30-31. Wrote James about Job and his trials and he adds, "and have seen the end of the Lord" - James 5:10-11. Here the word "end" means object - purpose
  4. Looking to the end:
    1. Would keep many sinners from taking the fatal step! Had Judas thought of the end of his crime, I believe that he would never have betrayed the Lord
    2. Had Gehazi thought of the end of his covetousness, he would not have taken the gifts from Naman, and had Achan seen that his covetousness would lead to the destruction of him and his family, he would not have taken the accursed thing
    3. Dear soul, when you are tempted to do wrong think first of the consequences before you yield to temptation; Examples: When Moses made his choice between the throne of Egypt and the suffering of his people he looked to the end first - Heb. 11:24-28 C. LET OUR TEXT BE THE WATCHWORD OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN ALL THEY DO OR SAY
  5. God's pilgrims in all ages made their choice when:
    1. They looked to the end - Heb. 11:14-32
    2. Abraham, when he parted from his nephew lot, looked ahead beyond the present temporal things, and he chose accordingly - Heb. 11:16-19
    3. Said Peter, "We look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" - 2 Pet. 3:13
  6. Our perspective gives the pace to our life - here and hereafter:
    1. Our plans are the result of our objectives; if our objectives are temporary to gratify human desires, then it must follow that our vision is nearsighted
    2. If, on the other hand, our objective is that of Paul, having his eye of faith focused upon things eternal, then it follows that our plans are accordingly - "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" - Matt. 6:33
  7. So, dear soul, when you venture out, and there is no wrong in doing so, pause and think:
    1. What is the end of my venture?
    2. Can God bless my venture?
    3. Will my efforts endure?
  8. "Looking to the end"
    1. How prudent a step in the right and safe direction?
    2. What difference it make; Examples: Ruth and Orpah at the crossroad of life - Ruth 1:8-17. The man of God in the hour of temptation and the fatal mistake he made - 1 Kings 13:1-29
    3. A safe course to follow at all times - think of the end of your decision; pray about it and ask the Lord to guide you. Why? because you may be sorry with the end of your course.
    4. How different our lives would be if we looked to the end


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