Eternity
The Bible speaks of the belief that Christians have in eternity. It says,”Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). So although our bodies grow old and die, yet spiritually, we are new and we look forward to eternal life. Furthermore, we are encouraged to be hopeful because our life on earth is only for a short time and so is the pain and suffering we face in it. Our short lives, when compared to eternity which is unlimited, revert to zero. Our lives are less than a blink of an eye when compared to endless eternity. Everything becomes of small value compared to eternity.
This understanding gives Christians the heavenly perspective. It gives strength to endure in this life and joy at the hope of eternal life. Through the teachings of Jesus Christ our hearts and emotions are focused on the love of God before anything else. We long for Him and for eternal life with Him. We are already filled with His Holy Spirit (John 14: 16-18 and 26). We live this life with Him and taste heaven before we get there. And the words of Jesus Christ are true for us, “indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
Therefore the journey to eternity starts now. Life on earth is just the preparation for it and the immortal life. Christians believe in having a loving relationship, in this life, with the eternal God and in obeying His commandments. The wise Christian believes in and works towards eternity. His or her heart is set on the eternal promises of God and on eternal life in heaven. Therefore, he or she is careful not to sin and remembers the words of the Holy Bible “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2: 15-17). The unwise doesn’t look beyond the visible things but the wise looks far ahead, beyond death, and asks, “where am I going? What will I be?” This belief in eternity leads us to store treasure in heaven and not on earth (Matthew 6: 19-21). Therefore we strive for our eternity and the eternity of others. For as Jesus Christ said, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
There is an interesting discussion between Jesus Christ and a rich man in the Bible which gives us insight into the Christian belief in eternity. It is highlighted in the text below. These verses from Mark 10: 17-31 in the Bible teach us not to be overly attached to anything in this world. The rich man obeyed God’s commandments but loved his money more than eternal life and perhaps more than the poor. For us, it may not be that we are called to give away all that we have to the poor but it may be that we are called to give away something else that is dear to us. It may be that we need to give up our pride and be reconciled to a brother or sister we haven’t spoken to for years. It may be that we need to give a up a sinful relationship or a harmful habit. We may need to give up gossiping or hatred or jealousy or selfishness. To those who would love to be obedient to God’s command but find it too difficult…to those people our Merciful Lord Jesus replies “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Therefore, we are encouraged by what Jesus says to us and know that there is hope for us to overcome any attachment to sin or the materialistic things of this world. We pray that God will help us to overcome. The one who is focused on eternity is raised above the earth and all earthly things.
From the Holy Bible (Mark 10: 17-31)
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”