OUR DAYS ON EARTH seem to be governed by the “clock” and the “calendar.” Let’s be honest – doesn’t it feel as though we’re constantly in a race against time? Eternal life, who wouldn’t want that? Well, I suppose some of us are not enjoying the kind of experience we’d hope to be having long term. But eternal life as promised in Scripture will not only be infinite in duration, it will be infinitely pleasurable as well.
CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD who is eternal, our souls cry out for permanence. The great human tragedy is that man’s choice to sin resulted in our mortality. Not only did sin bring about physical death, breaking our relationship with God, we died spiritually as well.
CHRIST INTERCEDED on our behalf with infinite pity, mercy and grace. Offering his life in exchange for ours on the cross, he paid the penalty for sin and secured our redemption. By this glorious sacrificial act he has made it possible for us to be born again.
CHRIST INTERCEDED on our behalf with infinite pity, mercy and grace. Offering his life in exchange for ours on the cross, he paid the penalty for sin and secured our redemption. By this glorious sacrificial act he has made it possible for us to be born again.
THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE has been freely given to all who believe. Life never-ending is ours as we draw the first believing breath. Nevertheless, it is impossible to experience all the blessings of eternal life as long as we remain on earth. Entering heaven will inaugurate a fuller experience of our eternal life. This was the reason the Apostle Paul could assert that “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”* He knew the best was yet to come.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE what that might look like. I know the constraints of time, as well as the presence of sin with its dreadful consequences, will be removed. I know that “…we shall be like (Jesus), for we shall see him as he is.”** I know we will at last catch sight of his glory and with one glimpse all thought of self will be forever eclipsed by such a manifestation!
ONCE UPON A TIME I could almost see it from earth. Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon one crisp December morning, the clear blue sky overhead hosting a giant fireball which brought warmth to my soul as its rays kissed my body from head to toe; I found myself losing all sense of self-consciousness while being completely enthralled by the handiwork of the Maker of Heaven and Earth – the I AM! Such a moment of self-forgetfulness and God-consciousness is the impetus for a season of true worship! Such will be the bliss of heaven!
*Philippians 1:21
*Philippians 1:21
**1 John 3:2
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