…and receive eternal life.
Summary: Taking a closer look at Paul’s words, we take a moment to review what it means to have eternal life.
Jesus called Paul to be an Apostle — one who is “sent” to teach others about the kingdom of God. We might not ever be called to appear before a king in this life, but we will in the next, and we need to understand what is involved so that we can be prepared.
“Eternal life” is one of those phrases that sounds nice but seems vague. What does it mean? If that is where we meet God, how do we prepare? What should we do?
The concept of eternal life first appears in the first sentence of the Bible:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
Before there was a “heavens* and the earth,” there was God. Not a “dead” god or some inanimate god, but the living God (Deuteronomy 5:26). Not only is God a living God, but he is eternally alive (1 Timothy 1:17).
Next, we need to understand that God sees us as eternal beings. God, who is Spirit (John 4:24), created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27). He made us from physical stuff (“dust of the ground”) and spirit (“the breath of life”).
Then God gave man a warning:
“… but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17 ESV)
Of course, you know the story. Adam and Eve ate from the tree and … they didn’t die. Or, at least, it doesn’t seem like they die (Genesis 3:1-19). Except that later, Jesus tells the story about the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
In the story, the youngest son leaves the father and goes away. When he later returns a broken man, his father runs to greet him and welcome him home. Then he makes this amazing statement:
“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again…” (Luke 15:24, 32).
Eternal death is being separated from God. Eternal life is being with God for eternity (John 17:3).
Which brings us back to Paul. As an Apostle, he shows us the way home. He, himself, is an example of the prodigal son in all of us.
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
Application: Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive the gift of eternal life.
Food for Thought: How does the promise of eternal life change how we experience our physical lives?
*”Heaven” in this case refers to the sky (Genesis 1:20) and the visible universe (Genesis 1:14-17). The “heaven” where we find God’s throne is referred to as the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2) or “highest heaven” (1 Kings 8:27).
It means that if we are in Christ we should live for Him today rather than ourselves.
We can live with the confidence that we will never truly die.
John 11: 25 – 26: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
We can live knowing that our service for Him is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15: 58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
We can live knowing that there is something much better waiting for us.
2 Timothy 4: 6 – 7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
I Peter 1: 3 – 5: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Romans 8: 18: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
So we can live for Him Who set us free and gave us life.
2 Corinthians 5: 15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Galatians 2: 20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you, Rich!
I know your words are from the heart. Well said and great verses, too!
“Experience” is very much a matter of perspective. We may not be able to control circumstance, but how we enter the unfolding of circumstance, our attitude, is under our control. What we believe, what we place faith in, how we allow that to shape our next steps, define the experience. I think it is safe to say that how we “felt” about the unfolding of circumstances is how we remember the experience.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I believe the promise of eternal life changes how we experience our physical lives for two main reasons.
We realize that what we do here on Earth echoes in eternity. Not only will we give an answer for what we have done, but righteous choices and actions will be celebrated and rewarded in Heaven all to the Glory of God. Our actions then become about glorifying Him, and in glorifying Him, whatever the circumstance, our experience is good.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
The Holy Spirit is preparing us for Heaven. Not simply for us to be in Heaven, but preparing us to live in the Glory of God. In walking with the Spirit, in allowing Him to guide us through His Word, in humbly submitting to the Lord, He transforms us into the likeness of Christ. Knowing Jesus, emulating Him here on Earth makes the reality of meeting Him in Heaven joyful instead of fearful.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Revelation 22:1-5 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Thank you, Chris!
You write, “The Holy Spirit is preparing us for Heaven. Not simply for us to be in Heaven, but preparing us to live in the Glory of God.”
This is an excellent point. If fully understood, this helps us understand why God disciplines us.
Very good study today with good comments. Thanks Pastor, Chris and Jeff.
Thank you, Paul!
🙂
How does the promise of eternal life change how we experience our physical lives?
As an old man, I am well aware of my getting closer to experiencing what this world fears, Physical Death. I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But the specifics of placing this into my low level of understanding leaves me facing this unknown experience with zero knowledge of what/how this will all come into being.
The world teaches, physical death is defined as the cessation of biological functions that sustain life.
Our Lord revealed this process another way. He directed my attention to a caterpillar/butterfly! For a time the caterpillar exists in this world confined to this ground by gravity, in time it ceases to freely roam the earth, is confined in a cacoon for a time known by God, and is released, transformed into beautiful butterfly, watched over, sustained by God as a creature, free to fly with wings provided by God.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8, So we are always of Good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
We will once again exist in Gods garden. Walking in a close, building relationship as He will for all eternity be with us, opening our eyes to His Majestic presence in all that exists. As we enjoy fellowship with other believers.
Thank you, Ron!
Your words encourage me!