If, at the end of life, you are to face a harsh evaluation of how you have lived, will you be willing to change the principles and attitudes you have held onto until now?
Alfred Nobel, a chemist, gained worldwide recognition for inventing dynamite. His invention brought revolutionary progress to mining, waterway, tunnel, railroad, and road construction. Yet the praise did not last. Once dynamite was used as a weapon of war, public opinion turned cold. As mass killing was carried out with his invention, fierce criticism poured down upon Nobel, who had grown immensely wealthy.
One day, he read a newspaper article announcing his own death. It was actually his brother Ludvig who had died, but the paper mistakenly published Alfred’s obituary. What shocked him more than the mistake itself was the content: not a single word about his achievements or contributions—only scathing lines such as, “The merchant of death is dead. He found a way to kill more people faster and made his fortune from it.”
Eight years later, before his actual death, Nobel left a will dedicating his vast fortune to reward, in five fields, those who made the greatest contributions to humanity. This decision freed him from the label of “merchant of death.” Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been awarded to individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in literature, chemistry, physics, peace, and other fields. Each year, the name “Nobel” is remembered not for destruction, but for honoring those who advanced humanity.
The Bible teaches that after death, everyone will stand before God’s throne and be judged according to their deeds (Rev 20:12). If we wish to receive a good evaluation then, we must continually examine our deeds of faith. God promised that those who keep His commandments with all their heart and strength and take part in completing world evangelism will shine like the stars forever and ever (Da 12:3). In this, He has already given us the answer.
If Peter had let guilt and despair over denying Christ three times end his journey of the gospel, would he have escaped the label of “cowardly apostle who denied Jesus”? Instead, he bore the weight of that mistake and devoted himself to caring for the church and the believers. That is why he is remembered as “a strong apostle who powerfully led the early Church.”
Let us stay on the path of faith that leads to God’s favorable evaluation. If we find ourselves straying, let us correct our course right away. It is never too late. If we were lazy yesterday, let us be diligent today. If we were cold in the morning, let us sweep away that chill by the afternoon. Let us open today’s door of blessing with the vision of that glorious moment when God will commend us, saying, “Well done.”