As a Christian we can take for granted eternal life. What does eternal life mean to you?
A longer life?
A better life?
A more fulfilled life?
True, eternal life has a lot to do with life. And it is a life that never ends. Yet where does it begin?
Salvation
Ah, at salvation with a wonderful experience that now you know that you know you are going to heaven.
But what if I told you that just knowing you were going to heaven was a BIG LIE? That salvation is not about going to heaven. Its about so much more.
What if all this time you found you have been duped into believing something that was not true? Or perhaps a half truth, which is ultimately is a lie.
I would be upset.
Now don’t get me wrong, folks are not trying to trick you on purpose they’re just following what someone else has taught them.
Cultural Christianity
See, many of us conservatives are critical of liberals who go out of their way to pull in a crowd. Yet, what are we doing?
We focus on the sinner and how the sinner needs to be saved. And how the sinner should go to heaven and not be burned in hell.
It’s all about the sinner. It’s all about me.
Then when they confess Christ, we try to convince the converted sinner that it’s all about HIM. I don’t know about you but that sounds like a double standard. We dupe you into escaping hell by telling you what you want to hear:
Save yourself.
Instead of what you need to hear:
WHO
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, WHO hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Luke 3:7
Salvation is not an experience that leads you to heaven. Salvation is a person. Without the WHO there is no salvation.
Salvation is not a what, salvation is a who – Jesus Christ our Lord God.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22
So, if you think eternal life is knowing that you know you are going to heaven what a scary day that will be.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22
Eternal Life
Is this a scary thought for you right now? I want you to know I understand. I understand what is like to live a supposed “Christian life” yet have no life at all.
All I could think of was me and assure myself with my experience.
But where is Christ’s experience in your life?
Eternal life is NOT about a new experience. Eternal life is about God, through Jesus Christ by the power of His Spirit.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
Do you know HIM?
Men will trust in God no further than they know Him. ~Jonathan Edwards
To GOD be ALL the GLORY
In His Hands,
Ann Marie Moore
Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay