06/08/2022
If we believe in Jesus we have life, but we can’t just believe that He was a man that once lived, or a mighty prophet; no, we must acknowledge Him as the Son of God. If we believe in this way then we have life, eternal life, but what kind of life is it that we are seeking to live forever? People in the world around us choose to live their lives in all kinds of ways; some being extremely happy, while others are sad. Some people are quiet while their neighbors are loud and outgoing, and there are those who are industrious while their brethren are sedentary. So if we are to live forever, what kind of life do we want to live; more than that, what kind of life does God want us to live? God wants us to live as His Son Jesus Christ lives. We are to abandon who we are at the moment we first believe, and become transformed; to become measure, by measure, like Christ Himself. We are to accept the gift of salvation that God has prepared for us.
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:12 ESV
Wouldn’t it be a shame if we could live forever, but chose to live an eternal life of debauchery, laziness, self-absorption, uselessness, lies, or even filled with a morality that although seemingly good is without God? To live a life separated from God is a tragedy, whether it is short lived, or otherwise, so what God really wants us to be, is like Jesus. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; He wants us to be obedient, humble, kind, forgiving, gentle, patient, and all the many other virtues that identify us as the brothers and sisters of Christ. He wants us to glorify Him, and worship Him, for all eternity, and to live lives of righteousness and holiness in all that we do. To live this way, like Jesus, takes more than our own resolve, it also takes a divine transformation, a miracle, or in other words, for Jesus to abide in us, and we in Him. We can’t successfully transform ourselves… it is a gift of God! We can choose to believe, but then we must accept the gift of God, and measure by measure become like Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
Our sin had separated us from the glory of God, but our Father is merciful, and booked us safe return passage home. He sent His Son Jesus to pay the price of our redemption, and to restore us to Himself by His grace. Eternity with our Father is made possible, and our lives transformed to be like Christ, in this way… by our belief, God’s grace, and the transformation of our character into that of Christ.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 3:23-24 ESV
This is how we are meant to experience eternity. We are meant to live it like Jesus, and to walk close with God in this way. To do this requires a simple, and yet bold act of faith. It is letting go of our worldly burden, and picking up our cross to follow Jesus. Are we ready for eternal life? Are we ready to see Jesus as the Son of God, and then to become as He is?
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
John 17:3 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your mercy, grace, and the gift of eternal life in Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to not only redeem us, but to abide in us, and serve as our template of perfection, and righteousness. Help us Father to be like Him so that you will look at us and announce your pleasure in who we have become. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and the Father of our Savior Jesus Christ. Praised be your name for every step we take that leads us to be more like Him. Merciful are you Lord for giving us eternity in your presence, not by our doing, but by your boundless grace. Help us to believe Lord, and to be transformed. Wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus, and cleanse us of our sins. Remake us in His image, and see only His perfection in us. Welcome us home Father as you lift us into Heaven, and into your presence, for all eternity. All praise, worship, and glory to be yours forevermore.
“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 John 2:6 ESV
Rich Forbes