Are we fixing our gaze on the eternal?

 

Will we have work to do in heaven?

 

Heaven will be better than anything we can imagine

 

It will be better on the other side

 

Question: Is death the worst thing that could happen?

Do you have an eternal perspective?

Assurance of something more...

Light And Momentary Troubles?

For those of us who are trusting in Christ we have a truth from God’s word which is important for us to keep in mind. It will be helpful for us to allow this truth to shape our understanding and perspective of what happens in life.

The truth is that the problems and troubles we endure as we stand for Christ are small [this next part is critically important…] when we understand them in the light of eternity. Think about it: anything which is finite and temporary is small in the light of eternity.

Please know I am not trying to make light of anyone’s troubles. I would never want to do that. It is my basic inclination to “weep with those who weep.” However, I am trying to help put our troubles in perspective. What I am sharing is based on biblical truth, it is based on the truth that eternal life with God is real.

“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 Cor. 4:16-18

End Of The World Chatter

Ironically, all this chatter about the end of the world brings to my mind the idea of eternity which tells us that while the end of our physical life on earth will happen our personal existence will continue forever.  Now, keep in mind that “forever” will tend to continue on for quite a while, so, where we spend eternity is worthy of our thoughtful, careful, prayerful consideration.

Seeing God And Putting Things In Their Proper Perspective

Here’s a conversation thread from my Facebook page.

My initial post:

When we enter into God’s presence on the other side of this earthly existence everything else that we’ve ever experienced will finally be put in its proper perspective.

Comment from my friend:

Proof text. Must have proof text old friend! I bang my head against the wall trying to get perspective on this side, and you're telling me to chill-out and wait 'til I get on the other side? I think He gave me this curious, searching heart (or this doubting skeptics mind, whatever it is?)

My response to the comment:

I believe God gave you that curious, searching heart, too.  And I think it’s good and right for you to try to get perspective on this side of eternity.  Don’t stop your search for understanding.  (Although, you might want to ease up on the banging your head against the wall.)  However, a wise search involves the understanding that we are finite—there are some things we simply will not come to understand on this side.  If you cannot come to terms with this reality it will result in increased head-against-the-wall sessions and tremendous frustration.

Also, what we experience now is, by definition, incomplete because there is a wholly other experience that will happen when we leave this realm.  We cannot experience this other realm now, we can only experience it by crossing over.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

I believe that the most significant part of this experience on the other side will be seeing God in a way that is fuller and more complete than we can see Him on this side of eternity.  And I believe that when we see Him in this complete way much of what we thought was so important, on this side, will be put into its proper perspective.

Line from an old Christian song:  “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Eternity Has Already Begun

For those who follow Christ, we're not waiting for eternity to happen.  Eternity has already begun.