Gifted

Eternal Life

Throughout Gifted we examine the life we lead and the life we could lead. The difference is the advent of God’s gifts, virtues, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit to assist our spiritual growth. The life we should lead influences our coming eternal life. Previous chapters showed that our life is not completed upon our demise. Since we were created in God’s image as a spirit, but with a body, our life is eternal. The last sentence in A Gilded Walk asks the question, “Where will you spend eternity?” There are two destinations. The answer is contingent on our life style, but everyone hopes for heaven.

Are there multiple roads to heaven? Some people say, “There are so many gods, it’s a difficult decision to follow which one, but I’m sure it does not matter which one you choose.” Others say that if you are faithful to your own god and lead a good life, then everything will be okay. A corollary is that I don’t go to church, but I’m a nice person and I help others so I know god will honor that. Another fervent belief is that god is not so demanding that you can only follow the Christian way. After all, “there are many roads to heaven.” Yes, and each of those roads is a religion which has been formulated by man with rules to reach their god. These are all beautiful, heartwarming expressions of mankind. Unfortunately, they don’t matter for it’s only what God says that matters. As creator and sovereign Lord, thee one God has a different opinion and his inspired writings or scriptures says otherwise. Have you considered what God has said?

“I am the first and the last. There is no God but me” (Isaiah 44:6).

“All who make idols are nothing and the things they treasure are worthless ” (Isaiah 44:9 (NIV).

“It was I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. It was my hands that stretched out the heavens” ( Isaiah 45:12).

“Who announced this from the beginning and foretold it from old? Was it not I, the Lord, besides whom there is no other God. There is no just and saving God but me” (Isaiah 45:21-22).

If there were many ways to achieve heaven, God would not have sent his only begotten Son to suffer an ignominious death. Having established the validity of the one true God, his plan to redeem mankind was to send his Son who would be crucified and die for mankind, thus re-establishing the relationship between God and man. This is the primary reason Jesus could say, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” The other religions do not accept God’s way: the sacrifice of his Son. Scripture repeatedly speaks to the people about living the new way or the redeemed way of life in Christ. But Paul also tells the Romans that some people instinctively kept the law without knowledge of it (Romans 2:14-16). This is the purpose of life that God has placed in everyone.

This was demonstrated after Pentecost when the gathered throngs of people heard Peter’s inspired talk. They cried out asking what they should do. Peter replied, “You must reform and be baptized, each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-39).

The roads to God are one of judgment and not salvation unless you are born again in which case the promise of heaven is already experienced. There aren’t a variety of ways to salvation. They are all dead ends except for God’s way, salvation through his Son. Imagine the creator, the everlasting God, so loved his creation that turned against him, that he assigned his only Son to suffer and die such a death. By this action mankind would be redeemed if they accepted his Son. Looked at this way, it is difficult to favor God’s wrath rather than his love. Either way, eternity is involved, happiness or condemnation..

It is difficult to get a handle on eternity which is timeless. Today, time is our constant companion due to schedules, appointments, family duties, and favorite TV shows. Considering this dichotomy, I once asked the Lord about this. He replied, “What is forever? It is a moment with me that never ceases. You already know how to praise me, how to love me and accept my love. But forever began when you accepted me. It never stops yet seems like only a minute for we share such oneness. I long for you as you long for me yet we are one in spite of such longing and desire. Now I will tell you something--there is so much more of my infinite love that you cannot imagine. You think you know love now; I tell you it has just begun for I have so many things planned for my people. You will be amazed at the depth of my love for those who up to now aren’t even aware of my love. Help me build the kingdom to join you as friends and fellow believers. I will help you. Fear not.”

Only our Lord could phrase such wonders. Notice how he changed the concept of time being the past, the present and the future into eternity. He also explained John’s proclamation that “We have come to know and believe in the love God has for us. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). I always wondered how we could live in God. The answer is through love. The reply about forever is the most beautiful word the Lord has ever spoken other than about his love.

Where and what is this place where believers will spend eternal life? The place is generally called heaven or paradise and is the dwelling place of almighty God. It is described as the new Jerusalem, a city of immense size and beauty ornate with precious stones and gold (Revelation 21:18-19). Paul gives us a preview by repeating an earlier passage in Isaiah 64: “Eye has not seen; ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9). This is not a mythical description but something that has form and structure, something that can be appreciated by our God-given senses.

Jesus anticipated our quandary about eternity in a wonderful passage in John’s gospel. Jesus looked to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come! Give glory to your Son that your Son may give glory to you, inasmuch as you have given him authority over all mankind that he may bestow eternal life on those you gave him. Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God and him who you sent, Jesus Christ” (John 17:1-2).

There is another aspect of eternal life and that is reserved to those who reject the Son of God and the Father’s plan for salvation. The place is commonly called hell and has numerous scriptural references. So many words refer to the life there, but most people have heard of suffering, damnation and hell fire. There is a sense of being in a vacuum as there is a complete absence of the love of God.