The Reality of Eternity
In His Presence: Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony" (Luke 16:25).
At the end of time, we will all face the Lord and He will want to know how we used our time on earth to get ready for eternity. If we only live for earth, all we will receive is earth. But once we start living for heaven, earth is just a bonus to the eternal existence we will enjoy.
It is foolish to try to run from death. Instead, we must decide to be creatures of eternity. Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). If you are in Christ you have no reason to fear death because when you die, you will instantly be with God.
Since we were made for eternity, what are we doing in light of what we were made for? Paul set the example when he said: "Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2). Paul's mind was on heaven, but he was still functioning for the Lord here on earth. He was heavenly minded but still did earthly good. Because he lived in light of His eternal purpose, he made his life decisions in light of the reference point of eternity.
Everybody you know is headed toward eternity; nobody has any other choice. This life is not all there is, so we share Jesus Christ with our unsaved neighbors. We live for God's glory because this life is not all there is.
One Minute Please
"Lord, clarify our eternal perspective and help us to see Your purpose for our lives because we don't know when we will leave this world."
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