We come now to my last sermon in this series as we have gone through 1 John. My focus will be on what the apostle John says regarding eternal life. He wrote: "And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)
The word 'life' as used here does not refer to physical life, but to God's life that has been poured into us through faith in Jesus. We can see death all around us, but Jesus' life brings us to a higher level.
Have you ever thought about the richness of the life that Jesus brings? It was to make us new beings, to make us whole, to bring us into a relationship with God. We live in world that is searching for happiness through material things and success. Now, John comes along and says that we have life in Jesus.
Now, try thinking of eternity. Can you fathom it at all? You have been so loved and desired beyond measure that God was willing to bring you into the household for eternity. Eternal life is not something far off in the future or that comes after our passing, but it is a reality here and now for us.
I believe this statement about eternal life is a fitting ending where John in his introduction to this letter was writing that "our joy may be complete." There can be no greater joy that to know that you are saved for all eternity.
Have you thought very much about the fact that eternal life is part of your existence right now? How else might you comprehend the richness of what John means in the word "life?"
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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1 comments:
Ah, my favorite topic - eternal life. When I learned that I am living in eternal life now, it completely changed my whole outlook on things. Eternal life is the relationship we have with God and Jesus. That's is happening NOW. We are told that God will supply all our needs for our physical life - it's the eternal life that is the most important. To make it easier for me to grasp, I imagine my eternal life running parallel with my physical life. My physical life will end, but the eternal life won't. Focus on the relationship.
Like I said, this is one of my favorite Bible topics. If we can grasp this concept, lives will ne changed!!
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