This seems to last forever . . .

 

 

We are in a cold snap. This morning it is -23F or -31C with a wind that makes the air feel like -38. What is it about days like this that make summer sunshine feel so far away? Almost to the point of forgetting what it feels like? Winter gives a sense of eternal, even though I know better. While I use the words eternal or forever to describe things that only seem to go on and on and on, the Bible speaks more literally of the eternal.

The OT word actually means “ancient, forever, everlasting.” It can be used to describe days long past, or the future. When applied to God, it could mean “always” for our God is ETERNAL. In that sense, this OT word is about His faithfulness, trustworthiness, and goodness. It also means that He always is.

1 Chronicles 16:34. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 90:2. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Isaiah 60:19. “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”

There is more, but most interesting is Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” I know that eternity is a reality, yet I cannot quite figure it out. How can there be no beginning or end? How can God always exist? What is life like beyond the grave, outside of or without time?

The NT word for eternal is an adjective that defines the everlasting God and His realm; the blessings of salvation; and everlasting conditions that have neither beginning nor end. In more than half the times this word is used, it is linked with “life” creating more questions. How can I be given something that has no beginning? The NT has the answer.

This word is used to describe God, His glory and Spirit, and that He is immortal and the source of our eternal salvation and eternal life. He also delivers us from eternal judgment.

1 Timothy 6:14–16. “Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”

Hebrews 5:9. “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.”

This eternal life is a gift from God to all who believe in Jesus. It is His life that I am given.

John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

1 John 5:11–12. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 Timothy 1:16. “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Receiving this gift through faith puts us in a different realm that has neither beginning nor end. Colossians 1:13–14. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

His kingdom is eternal and the life we are given is eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says I “know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” yet while I know it, full understanding eludes me for I still walk in the realm of time with beginnings and endings. In that dual existence, God tells me to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” I’m to look forward to that day when my “resurrected body will also be eternal, dwelling forever in heaven” because my eternal Savior has so “richly provided for me an entrance” into His eternal kingdom. I don’t understand it, but I can believe it — because my Eternal God said it!

 

The Gift is also the Giver . . .

In salvation, God is the Gift. He presents Himself to me as my Lord and Savior, granting all I need to live for Him. In this abundant life He promises to those who put their faith in His Son, His gifts cover every possible need; physical, mental, psychological, emotional, relational and spiritual and often a few “I wants” too.

When I typed give* into my search box, up came 1581 results. Some of them relate to my opportunities to be generous, or to prayer requests concerning needs, or the blessings of giving. Many point to the gifts that God GIVES and reveal His generous heart, never mind His unlimited resources.

He began this abundant life by giving me Himself. Could I be wealthier? About that gift He says in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

He also gave me the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised in John 14:16-17. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

 He gave me life yet when God gave Himself to me, He gave me eternal life also. 1 John 5:11–12. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

With these incredible gifts, I can live with a glimpse of eternity. In Christ and in the enlightenment of His Spirit comes a divine perspective, an ability to see what the world cannot see. My vision is not complete but it is enough to give me an eternal perspective and to remove all fear of death. It also makes vivid my former thinking, so selfish and focused on what’s in it for me. Instead, He gave me new attitude and a new focus — to share my gifts with others, no matter what they are, from Jesus Himself including His love, goodness, generosity, and joy. I can do that without fear or stinginess because God’s gifts never run dry. If I give away something I need, He refills with more of the same.

What does God give besides Himself and all that He is? Here are some samples: a new heart and life, grace for every situation, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, peace that is beyond comprehension, joy that cannot be quelled, rest from self-effort, new commandments to guide me in this new life, love of truth and awareness of lies, a deep desire for fellowship with Him, the supply of all physical needs such as food, clothing and shelter, power for the hard stuff, comfort for the sad stuff, possessions suited to my needs and His desire for my life, guidance through the puzzles of life, companionship, a hearing ear, His encouragement, a place in His forever family, fellowship with other Christians, laughter, family, spiritual gifts and abilities with which to serve Him and others, sight, speech, ears to hear, my very breath, the ability to praise Him and to see Him in the world that He created, a thankful heart, a love for color, art, music, nature and all beauty, good sleep at night and good activities to do during the day, the ability to laugh and cry with others, to help them and be helped.

Need I go on? All this life is blessed by the hand of God, the generosity of His giving heart. He hears and answers prayers, makes Himself real to me, and restores me when I wander off or stumble and fall. He is the greatest Gift and the greatest GIVER!

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY . . . with gratitude and a heartfelt response of both adoring praise and total obedience.