Through the Bible - Isaiah 18-20, Ephesians 3
Good morning,
If you were to ask the average person, the average Christian (if there is such a thing) what is eternal life?, they would probably say something about heaven. When asked to describe what heaven might be like it is usually some kind of response which revolves around something they like to do. It might involve playing golf on the most beautiful courses, sand traps and all (but of course in heaven you'd never find yourself in one). There have even been commercials about drinking beer in heaven where the beer is replaced without asking.
But what does the Bible say about "eternal life", what will be our greatest joy?
John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. NKJV
I read a devotional the other day from J.I. Packer which took a look at Matthew 6:4 which takes a look at doing "charitable deeds".
Matt 6:3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. NKJV
Packer comments, "The activity of which Matthew chapter 6 speaks is the service of God; looking toward him, reaching out to him, praising, praying, worshipping, adoring, loving, and obeying him, and thus enjoying fellowship with him. The reward for that is an ever-closer relationship with God himself. Hereafter we will not literally be walking around a place called heaven wearing heavy, jewel studded gold bracelets: that picture is a pointer to something else. Our reward will be that for which we have been qualifying throughout our discipleship on earth. God's welcome, his well done! and the communication to us of his love in his immediate actual presence."
Somehow, I believe that that is a better picture of eternal life, heaven, than playing golf, collecting sea shells on the eternal shores, or a continual supply of our favorite beer.
Eternal life starts here and now. What are we doing to know Jesus here and now? What are we doing to develop that "ever-closer" relationship that will carry over to the other side?
Will you live your life today, from here forward with a better "picture" of eternal life and live to know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ who was sent to give us this life?
I don't know what heaven would be like. I wouldn't even mind if there was golf there (where I would play better), but it has no significance, we will find our joy, rest, and peace in Him who is worthy of eternal praise. Nothing eles matters.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
John 17:1-20
17 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
NKJV
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