Our wonderful promise and purpose: The now and then of eternal life
By Dean Collins
I am not suggesting we will experience eternal life only occasionally, though I suspect we often forget that God wants us to experience eternal life today and every day.
Tony Alter in Newport News, Virginia found somewhere better than a hat for his display! (Via Wikipedia Commons.)
It is likely that one of the first Scriptures you heard was John 3:16. Nowadays we see the John 3:16 reference plastered regularly on shirts, hats, and posters proudly displayed by people somehow hoping it will inspire someone to come to Jesus. I’m guessing many are annoyed or amused by these frequent visual displays more than drawn to Jesus because of them. But maybe someone discovers the good news. We can hope for the best.
Take a moment and remember when you heard and believed this powerful verse. Not just the “John 3:16” reference but the actual words. I suspect some reading this recall that these words spoke life, and by the power of the Holy Spirit they were convicted as the seed of a new life began to grow.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The mistake we often make is in thinking that eternal life finally happens once our tired and worn out body gives up and we take our last breath on this side of glory. But when we read the powerful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, we learn that eternal life begins much sooner than the pronouncement of our death.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
As Jesus continued his prayer he asked his Father that just as he and his Father were united, all of his followers would live in unity with each other. Eternal life with God also means we share eternal life with each other.
We find hope that when we breathe our first breath after our death or when Jesus returns, we will forever share fellowship with loved ones, the saints of old, and our Savior and King. But according to Jesus, all of these same things are happening even now. This is part of the significance of psalms that speak of going to or being in the house of the Lord.
In Psalm 122 the psalmist declared he was glad when they said to him, “Let us go to the house of the Lord. “
To go to the Tabernacle or the temple was to go to the place where God dwelled. Going there made the psalmist happy. Each ascent to Jerusalem or up the steps to the temple was a community event. God calls all of his children to come into his presence.
Lindz Graham snapped this picture of a bench in Strathaven, Scotland. (v=Via Wikimedia Commons.)
We know from the last few chapters of John’s Gospel that Jesus promised his followers would be filled with the Holy Spirit. God now dwells in us! And it is good when we, filled with God’s Spirit, go together to places, any places, and worship him. Jesus meets with us every time we come together in his name. And according to Jesus, when we are together in his name, we are experiencing a bit of eternal life even as we work to spread the good news of Jesus and await eternity forever with our King and with his great big family.
Father, thank you for the gift of eternal life in Christ. Thank you for the forgiveness of our sins. Thank you for calling us to yourself and to your kingdom family. Help us find joy in your presence even now as we realize that our eternal life has already begun. May we use the remainder of our days on earth to spread the good news of all that you are and all that you have prepared for us on the other side of our eternal life with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time With God’s Word
John 17:1-26; 3:16; Psalm 122:1-9 ESV
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