1 John 5:11-12
Thoughts from Stuart Poteet
Dive Deeper
“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”
1 John 5:11-12
Behind the Scenes
Eternal life… What a beautiful promise. Someday, for every believer of Jesus Christ, we will pass from this life into the next where there will be no more sadness, no more pain, no more sin, and no more death. Our eternal inheritance- this perfect existence in restored communion with God for all of eternity. I don’t know about you but that sounds pretty fantastic to me!
The idea of eternity is always so hard to wrap my brain around. We live an existence where everything we know has a beginning and an end. There is nothing we do or see or think or know that does not somehow have a limit or some sort of finality. But eternity, the truth that there will be no end, that is so hard for my brain to wrap around.
But we know that on the other side of death, there is eternity. And there are only two options for how you spend that eternity. Either you spend it with God or without. Eternity spent with God means eternity spent in the presence of perfection where there is no more brokenness. But eternity spent without God means eternity spent apart from anything good, holy, happy, or pure. It is the removal of all that brings joy and gladness because we know that nothing good exists apart from God.
Make it Real
When you think of eternity, what sort of feelings does that bring up in you? Do you fear what waits for us on the other side of this life? What about your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, or your family? Do you fear what waits on the other side for them?
The reality is this life is so short and so fragile. In an instant it can be over, and we are ushered into eternity. And what we did in this life determines how we get to spend the next. Only one question remains after we close our eyes in death, “Did you make Jesus your Lord?” Nothing else will matter at that point. Nothing else has eternal importance like that one question. We can make the things of this world so very important. But in the end, that one question is all that remains.
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and full man, to live a sinless life so that He could be the reconciliation that we all needed. Through His death and resurrection, He has purchased redemption for us. Every person who accepts His salvation is then clothed in His righteousness, forever cleansed and restored to right standing with God the Father.
Jesus is the key that unlocks the door of eternity. He is the only atonement that can restore us to good standing with the Father. And only in Him do we have eternal life. So, what will you do with Jesus today? How will you live this life with the next in mind?
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Pastor
End in Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to bridge the gap that my sin creates between You and me. Thank You that in Jesus I can have eternal life. Thank You that You are goodness and truth and in You I can find peace. I trust You today and I thank You for all You are.
In Jesus’ name
Amen