Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight
At what point does a person begin eternal life? We all have unending life whatever our eternities entail, but only one of the two options is eternal life. The other is unending death. Eternal life is appropriately life in the presence of God beyond this world of suffering and death in the hereafter. It is unending joy, peace and bliss in heaven. But there is another sense in which eternal life begins in this world. There is a measure of truth in considering eternal life to be here. Jesus said we could have an abundant life through Him in the present age despite our circumstances. So, we could say that eternal life begins in this world bridges the void of time and space and enters forever.
Certainly, there are great qualitative differences between this life and the next. How dare we compare the two! Fair enough. But eternal life is in Jesus, and we can be in Jesus in the present state of affairs. Paul said our lives are hid with Christ in God, and we find them in Christ and God. Eternal life is not one of those things we can pick up for a price at any time. It is the free, matchless gift of God that must be taken when offered. Eternal life is really in the relationship with Jesus. The rest are trappings that come when we accept Him. The blessings of heaven are not separate from the Being of heaven. Eternal life is the treasure hid in a field and the pearl of great price.
When does it start? For me, eternal life began in the summer of 1964. It is marvelous to me that I will never die. On that Sunday morning long ago, I received Jesus as my Savior in childlike (I actually was a child) faith. I am only at the beginning of my life, though it may not appear so to your eyes. Today, I experience problems with the fallen world and my sinful nature, but I will live the vast majority of my life in the perfected state. What I dream of today will be actual someday and the pain of today erased from my mind. I am one of a numberless throng pressing into the kingdom of God. Millions have come, but there’s still room for one. There’s room at the cross for you.
Eternity began last night for one young man. I saw it happen. I was there when he opened his life to Christ. Earlier in the week, his sister received Christ as Savior. In both cases, the family was present and praying together. There was and is great rejoicing in heaven. The same scenario is being repeated world over as the call to Christ is sounded far and wide. We are living in exciting times for the spread and success of the gospel. God has fitted you and me for the day in which we live. As long as one is lost from the fold, it is our somber obligation and joyful opportunity to search until they are found. Eternal life can begin at any time. For some it is beginning now. Even as I write this. Tonight.
Sterl
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