I saw on another blog where someone was asking if belief
in eternal life is harmful or beneficial. I’m convinced that believing in
eternal life can and should make many positive changes in how we live our
lives. I see this truth as part of a
general principle: the longer our time
perspective is when we are making decisions, the wiser we will act. Let’s look at how this principle works out at
three levels:
Living Like There’s
No Tomorrow
Go to the ant, you
slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader,
administrator, or ruler,
it prepares its provisions
in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.
(Proverbs 6:6-8)
Sometimes we make decisions as if there will be no future
consequences. This is foolish. Here are some examples:
* Eating more __________ (fill in the blank with your
particular tempting food) than we should.
It tastes great the moment we are eating it, but we pay for it later.
* Using credit cards to pay for non-emergency items we
really can’t afford. It feels good to
buy that _______ or enjoy _______ but the bill comes and it comes with
interest.
* Committing adultery (a fling, an affair, a one night
stand). If it didn’t feel good people wouldn’t do it. But the long term consequences are devastating
to families.
* Getting drunk or using drugs (illegal or prescription)
for the temporary relief of stress.
Sure, you really do feel better for a little while. But the price your body pays in the future is
not worth it!
Planning for
Tomorrow
Know well the condition of
your flock, and pay attention to your herds,
for wealth is not forever;
not even a crown lasts for all time.
When hay is removed and
new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered in,
lambs will provide your
clothing, and goats, the price of a field;
there will be enough
goat's milk for your food-- food for your household and nourishment for your
female servants.
(Proverbs
27:23-27 CSB)
Making small sacrifices now in order to reap benefits in
the future is usually wise. Here are
some examples:
* Eating healthy
and getting some exercise requires some time and effort now, but in the long
run we enjoy the benefits of better health.
* Reasonable savings for retirement and/or for a “rainy
day” costs us a little now, but can greatly improve our lives in the future.
* Studying hard for a test might not be fun, but when you
get better grades, and then get into a good college, and have the career you
want, it is worth it!
Planning for
Eternity
But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not
break in and steal.
(Matthew
6:20 NIV)
The Bible takes the principle of living for the future to
a whole new level by encouraging us to think about eternal consequences. The
Bible teaches that those who trust in Christ will live forever with Him. Beyond that, our Lord teaches that we will be
rewarded in eternity for deeds we do here on earth (see Matthew 5:12, Matthew
24:46, 1 Corinthians 3:14, Colossians
3:23-24, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:26).
When making decisions we should not only think about the
results tomorrow or twenty years from now. We should also think about what the
results will be twenty thousand years from now!
That’s godly wisdom.
Here are some examples of the types of decisions we will
make differently when we plan for eternity:
* We will give our time and money to help people who
probably will never be able to pay us back in this life (see Luke 14:13-14).
* We will spend time interceding in prayer for people who
may never know we prayed for them (see Matthew 6:6).
* We will be
willing to take risks, face danger, make sacrifices, and suffer in many ways
for the cause of Christ and the completion of the Great Commission (see 1
Corinthians 15:32).
* We will avoid sin.
Every time I sin, I am foolishly acting as if there is no eternity.
Conclusion and
Application
Christians believe in eternal life. We believe that God will graciously reward us
for the sacrifices we make for Him in this life. Yet, we often act as if we did not believe
these things. I see many Christians
acting as if their entire life goal is to minimize risk and suffering and
maximize comfort, pleasure, and security during their few brief years on this
earth. Oh, that the reality of eternity would fill our minds and grasp our
hearts! It would truly change how we
live in thousands of small daily choices as well as in our big life changing
decisions.
In order to help us to live with godly wisdom, here are
some Bible passages to meditate on:
Luke 12: 16 Then He
told them a parable: "A rich man's land was very productive.
17 He thought to himself, 'What should I do,
since I don't have anywhere to store my crops?
18 I will do this,' he said. 'I'll tear down
my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.
19 Then I'll say to myself, "You have
many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy
yourself." '
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This
very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared--
whose will they be? '
21 "That's how it is with the one who
stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
NIV Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have
been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on
earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden
with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then
you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your
earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which
is idolatry.
NIV Romans 8:17 Now
if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his
glory.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are
not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
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