Whether we choose to believe or not, we will not be here forever. It’s either Christ calls us home or comes to pick us up. Whichever the case, we will eventually have to leave this world for another. This “world” is what we call eternity or the afterlife.
Jesus is our hope for eternity.
Most people, believers inclusive, worry about what their eternity will look like. They worry if they will spend it in joy or anguish. They worry if they will spend it beholding God or tormented by Satan. But, the scripture helps every believer to understand that we have hope for eternity. It says in John 3:16 that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is the hope: through Christ, we have eternal life. That is, in Him, we have the assurance of a pleasant eternity.
Jesus said whoever hears His word and believes in who sent Him, has eternal life (Jn. 5:24). This is yet another portion of scripture that gives us a reliable promise. Someone may think, these are just words to comfort me. How can I know that my eternity is assured? Here’s the thing: God has no character flaw. He is as honest as the word itself. He doesn’t pad His words up or try to sweet-talk us into doing things. He says it as it is.
The scripture tells us that God cannot lie. Not that He won’t, but that He is unable to lie. His nature simply cannot allow Him to do such a thing. This is a solid assurance of eternal life; that God is true to His word. (Num. 23:19; Heb. 6:18)
Why do you think Apostle Paul says we shouldn’t grieve as the unbelievers do? It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t cry or feel distraught by losing a loved one. It doesn’t mean a Christian is not allowed to show such emotions. He made the statement to tell believers not to feel hopeless as the unbelievers do. We are not to get weighed down by thoughts of what is to happen afterwards, because we have life…one that exceeds the life span of the mortal body. (1 Thessa. 4:13-17)
We know how it ends for us because Jesus has given us that assurance. For everyone that dies in Christ, scripture tells us that they are simply asleep (vs. 14). For us it’s not “goodbye”, but simply “see you later”. Therefore, encourage yourselves with these words. (vs. 18)
The most concrete evidence that we have the assurance of eternal life is the deposition of the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit is the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Furthermore, He gives life. Ephesians 4:30 also tells us that the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we will be saved on the day of redemption. In other words, He is our assurance that we will not perish eternally.
The good thing about this eternal life we are assured of is that we do not have to wait until eternity starts before we obtain it. The evidence of what we are hoping for is with us even from now. In John 5:24 the word of God tells us that whoever believes has passed out of death into life. Since you must be alive to believe, it means that this verse is not talking of life as we have on earth but the spiritual life, the one that transcends death on earth.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24 ESV
Before the devil puts ideas and thoughts in your head, it would be good to clarify that we wouldn’t get bored or tired of eternity. Why you feel it may get boring is because you are using your experience on earth to judge your experience in eternity. Unlike how it is on earth, we do not get weary or tired. We have transformed bodies to suit the new life we are living. Moreover, eternity is too short to explore all the wonders of God. (1 Cor. 15:49; Php. 3:21)
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become partakers of eternal life. Believing in Him and His finished work brings salvation. Life –eternal life –is from Jesus. He came that we may have this life and have it in abundance (Jn. 10:10). When you choose Jesus, you choose eternal life. (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 4:12)
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11 NIV
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for your sacrifice of love for me. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. From today, I begin to live in the eternal life that you have given to me. I receive the assurance of eternal life. Amen.
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