Promise of Eternal Life
“All that is not eternal is eternally useless.”
We are reminded by the Scripture and from life itself just how temporary life on earth really is. “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
Realizing this should cause us to focus on eternal values. The apostle Paul shared with the Christians at Philippi that there are those whose main focus on life’s values are in the material things that this world offers. “I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19) But, he shares with the believers in Christ Jesus that they are to think about life differently. True believers understand that there is far more to life than just a few years on earth. There is life beyond this life.
Our daughter was born in the country of Mexico. Because she was born in that country to parents who were citizens of the United States of America, she had a dual citizenship. She was a citizen of the United States and also of Mexico. The apostle Paul shares with the Philippian Christians that they too have a dual citizenship. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
Since earth is not our final home, it is essential that we make preparation for our heavenly home. When we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we become a child of God and God becomes our heavenly Father. Every human being is created by God but everyone is not a child of God. Only when we trust in Christ Jesus do we enter into that type of relationship with God. “. . . As many as received Him (Christ Jesus) to them He gave the power to become a child of God.” (John 1:12)
God made this promise to everyone who will believe in Jesus Christ. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish . . .” John 10:27-28 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)
Dr Rick Warren shares in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, “You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, ‘Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn’t going to last?’ When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won’t leave home—you’ll go home.”
A VERSE TO REMEMBER: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but, on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:18 NIV)