Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that’s often used as a philosophy of life. It basically means to live for today, seize the day, and take little thought for tomorrow. One dictionary’s definition is “enjoy the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future.” The Book of Proverbs has a different take.
“Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone, but righteousness rescues from death.” (Proverbs 10:2, CSB)
Ill-gotten gains are often temporary solutions to deep problems. We steal from someone to fix something, satisfy a need, or indulge a desire. That gain could be money, time, things, reputation, or authority. It is a short-sighted shortcut, a temporary fix that harms others and us. When we “seize the day,” we are often doing so at someone else’s expense.
The proverb instead points to righteousness and its double-edged meaning. One edge is doing the right thing. Living by a code of justice, even when it is painful, or a shortcut seems to present itself. The prophet Micah put it this way – “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8, CSB) The code of justice isn’t arbitrary or subjective; it is rooted in God’s word.
The second edge secures the proverb’s assertion that “righteousness rescues from death.” The Bible’s basic truth is that no one is truly righteous. None of us lives perfectly by God’s code. We would much rather seize the day like Adam and Eve seized the forbidden fruit. God instead provided righteousness for us through Jesus Christ. “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (Romans 3:21–22a, CSB) Christ’s righteousness rescues us from death. While we will die a physical death, we will live eternally with Him.
Ill-gotten gains, shortcuts, always come at a price. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a, CSB) But life, eternal, abundant, fulfilled life (John 10:10) is found in having righteousness from Christ, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b, CSB)
As a replacement for Carpe Diem, we could say Carpe Aeternum (seize forever). Live by God’s righteous code even if it means loss. But perhaps the best alternative is Carpe Christum. Seize Christ. Live for Christ. “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, CSB)
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