Live In An Eternal Perspective

January 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Live In An Eternal Perspective

Another year is beginning. We understand what that means because we can measure it. A year is in the realm of time, part of longer portions and divisible into segments. We live in this world in the context of time. Certain dates are celebrated. Our activities are planned. We have appointments, work times, meeting schedules and more. Even the sun, moon and stars – God’s creation – give us an understanding of time.

During a speech, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke of the preciousness of time. He stated, “Every person eventually realizes that time is the most valuable resource on the planet.”* Do we treat time in that way? Every minute that passes is gone forever. What are we doing with the time – given by God – we have here? — However, our perspective should not be limited to the context of time. Sadly, the guides believers follow in life are often similar to those of unbelievers, with little thought about eternity or what is eternal. While our finite minds are unable to grasp what is infinite, the Spirit of God can lead us to an understanding, at least in part, of what is otherwise impossible to grasp (1 Cor. 13:9; Jn. 16:13-14).

A person who has put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, in whom the Spirit dwells, already has eternal life, and should live with that perspective (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Jn. 5:11,20). That means it is not a life lived to please oneself, but in entire submission to the Lord, for His honor and glory. Let us use the gift of time, which God created, in a manner pleasing to Him.

Again, the truth of what is eternal, both of life and punishment, is only rightly and correctly revealed in the Bible, God’s Word. What He has given stands alone in inspiration and authority (2 Tim. 3:16). No other writing, religious or otherwise, can compare to the Bible. As we enter another year, during which the Lord may come and take believers to Himself, may we be firm in our determination to read and meditate on the Word of God. Let us be looking unto Jesus!

ENDNOTE
* Johns Hopkins University’s Class of 2023 commencement speech.

By Paul Alberts