by Cindy Phillips
I got to thinking about eternal life today. I was watching an interview by Gabe Poirot, a young Pastor who died from an electric skateboard accident and spent time in Heaven before he came back to life. He talks about how Heaven is not about a place but about a PERSON; the person of Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible say about eternal life? More than you might think. In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17:3 we see the definition of eternal life;
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Knowing God is the secret to eternal life and you don’t have to wait until you go to Heaven to experience it! Does that seem strange to you? You can know God now, here, in this age and experience true life. We see this echoed in Col 3. The whole chapter makes my spirit sing, but let me show you the first 11 verses;
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Isn’t that something? Look at the tense of these words. You were raised (past tense), you died (past tense). Because of these amazing truths, you can walk in newness of life right here and now. Look at Romans 6:2 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Again, notice the tense. You were buried with Jesus when He was buried. You were raised from the dead when Jesus was resurrected. Eph 2:6 says and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Right now you (your born-again spirit) is seated in heavenly places. Since these things already happened in the Spirit realm, you CAN walk in this newness of life. It is not only possible, it is what God wants from you.
Most of us live out our days so worldly focused. Take a moment each day to realize what is true in the Spirit. 2 Cor 4:18 says while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. That which is of the world is passing away, temporary. That which is unseen (the spirit realm) is eternal. Look at the verse before it; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
If you are struggling with something today, reset your mind to that which is eternal. Let it lift up your spirit-man, made perfect in Christ Jesus. Soon, and very soon, we will be with Him for eternity. Bear fruit today with great joy, knowing your worldly life is just a fleeting moment compared to eternal life.