“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
The doctrine of salvation rests in the heart of the Christian faith. Over two millennia Christian theologians have done their best to plumb the depths of the subject. One aspect of our salvation, eternal life with God, has been a source of great comfort to Christians through every era of the Church. As opposing worldviews grow in influence and question traditional understandings of the origin of life, it is no surprise that the end of life comes under the same scrutiny. I have heard many young people over the last decade say, “I don’t want to live forever, I don’t want there to be an afterlife.” In the 60’s The Who sang, “I hope I die before I get old”, but that was different; this isn’t a rejection of aging, or dreading growing into all that you despise about your parents. This is a deeper recognition that believing in eternity has direct implications for how we live in this life. In the movie, The Wolverine, the main character lives outside of time, and struggles to make sense of his eternal life and the suffering he has experienced. At one point, his mentor, Yashida, says to him, “Your mistake was to believe that a life without end can have no meaning – it is the only life that can.” I don’t suggest relying on movies for good theology, but that statement is truth. Our lives are given implicit value by our creator; we are designed with a purpose, and destined to glorify God as image bearers and enjoy him forever!
Something to apply:
This is a big topic for a short devotional! Can encourage you to think about your worldview and what you believe about origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. If you are struggling with meaning (why am I here) or morality (how should I live), there is a very good chance you need to mature your understanding of origin (how did I get here) and destiny (where am I going).
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:3-5