ETERNITY : The Thing That Matters Most

ETERNITY : The Thing That Matters The Most

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan , longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed we will be found naked. For awhile we are in this tent , we groan and are burdened , because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 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.”

2 Corinthians 5 : 1 – 7

What is the thing that matters most in life ?

Is it to be found successful by this world standard while suffering from spiritual poverty?

There is only one thing that matters most in life and that is whether you will be spending eternity in heaven with God or forever away from His presence in the everlasting fires of hell. To miss the Kingdom of God is an infinite loss and to find it is an infinite gain.

For our eternal destiny after our life here on earth is permanent while our life here on earth is temporary. Everything in this world is fleeting away. Everything on this earth is transient. Just about thirty seven years ago I was in high school, and seemingly it is not a very distant past. And about only six years from now I will become a senior citizen. In six years I will be entering the beginning of old age. Indeed life on earth is too brief, it is just like a dream. Our life here on earth is indeed just a glimpse of moment in eternity.

As a Christian who trusted the finished work of Christ on calvary as the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, I may say I do not fear the passing of years. In fact I am looking forward for the final chapter of my life here on earth. Because death for me is the most awaited moment of my life, the time when I will finally be with my ever dearest Lord JesusChrist. For a believer in Christ, death has lost its sting. It has no longer power on a christian . For Christ already conquered death two thousand years ago on calvary.

I still remember one Sunday night when I attended the memorial service of Atty. Loreto Noviseros, father of my discipler in college Brother Carlos. Atty. Loreto Novisteros served as the legal counsel of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship in the island of Mindoro for 19 years. He was assigned to help the “Mangyans” with their legal problems, most of whom were land-related. He fought for the rights of the tribal people who are known to be peace-loving but are treated as second-class citizens by the lowlanders.

Though grieving, Brother Carlos face does not reveal any form of misery or deep sorrows. Because he is assured that his father is already rejoicing in heaven with the Lord. His 86-year old father who was bed ridden for several months before his death is no longer agonizing in pain, no longer ill and dying, but already triumphant in heaven. One day Brother Carlos will be reunited with him in heaven.

That is the beauty of death. It releases us from agony and pain into the everlasting arms of God.

How about you ? Do you have the assurance of eternal life ? After your death where will you be ? In the presence of God or away from his presence ? If you are not assured of eternal life , you may come to Jesus now and turn away from your sins. As it is written in Revelations 22 : 14 :

“Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

Furthermore it is written in Revelation 22 : 17:

“The Spirit and the bride say ‘come’! And let him who say , ‘come’ ! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Salvation is a free gift from God. But it is not cheap but it is costly. It costs the death of the only begotten Son of God. JesusChrist paid a very high price for your salvation. His work on calvary two thousand years ago is a complete and finished work. All you have to do is transfer all your trusts on this finished work for your salvation and forsake other things you are trusting for your salvation. As it is written in Hebrews 9:28;

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people , and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”