1 John 5:20 And we know that the son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.
Jesus is eternal life.
The word “eternal” means, “lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning” (Google dictionary). When I try to sit with the word “eternal” or “forever” I get lost. I have a hard time thinking of life beyond this one or what eternity will feel like. While I cannot fully comprehend this idea, I stand on the promise in John 3:16 that says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”. I learned this verse in church choir and cannot say the verse without singing it out loud or in my head, depending on the company. Our physical bodies will die someday but our soul is meant to spend eternity with our creator. We are recipients of eternal life with Jesus when we know him and accept him as savior. This is the good news! Currently this pandemic seems to be lasting for an eternity, but I know it is just a “blip” in God’s timeline. My eternal perspective has taken a hit over the last few months and this verse was a really good reminder for me. I have been consumed with work, kids, school, and all of us being home at the same time. One of the benefits of salvation through Christ is having a relationship with Him while we are here and into eternity. In the midst of trials and celebrations He is my constant and my happy ending. I am so thankful that I know this and can lean on it daily.
There is a side of eternity that is difficult to talk about but is very apparent in the Bible. If you are not choosing Jesus then the alternative is an eternity without Him. John 3:16 indicates that those who believe will not perish, but what about those who do not believe or haven’t decided yet? We are the answer to this question. How will they know unless we share our faith and salvation stories.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Shelly