Three Ways Eternity Affects How We Live on Earth
In the grind of daily life, it can be difficult to think about living with a heavenly perspective. Weekly schedules, family and work often rest at the forefront of our minds and leave us with a very limited scope of what God is really doing in our midst. How is eternity relevant in our daily lives? Here are three things the Bible says about how eternity affects earth:
1. Eternity Stirs Us To Be Pleasing to God
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. – 2 Corinthians 1:6-9
Paul, the author of this verse, had powerful encounters with God. He knew the reality of who Jesus is, and that his eternal destiny was to please God. We will probably make mistakes when serving God, but it isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about having the faith to do everything in our power to live with a kingdom mindset.
2. It Leads Us To Powerfully Love Others
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:1-4
When we have a right perspective of eternity it allows us to love people powerfully. We will be most satisfied in life when we live to make other people great. Knowing our identity as sons and daughters of Christ empowers us to value other people and give our lives away for the glory of God. Not only will we see people set free, we can serve others in a way that sets us free. We can encounter the kindness and character of God when we love others because it is what we were made to do.
3. It Causes Us To Be Fearless
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
What would you do if you had no fear today? Share the Gospel with someone, encourage your neighbor, give of your finances? There are no limits when we are obedient to the voice of God instead of giving in to fear. Everyone, regardless of age, has something to give. When we love people in the name of Jesus it invites them into the family of God. Without letting fear rule our lives, we are free to love and serve extravagantly.
By Jimmy Seibert, Senior Pastor