This Sliver of Eternity

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth. – Colossians 1:4-6

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A few years ago, my kids and I studied Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven in our home-school Bible class. I wish I had discovered this book years ago, because it changed my life.

 

In Heaven (linked here), Alcorn presents what Scripture clearly states about our eternal home, as well as logical assumptions one might make about Heaven based upon Scripture and the character of God. He explains the difference between the Heaven in which saved souls dwell today, and the New Heaven and New Earth yet to be created.

Alcorn’s painstaking study opened my eyes to the perfect joy, service, worship, and relationships that await us in eternity.

 

For the first time, I grasped that our lives here on earth are but a sliver of that eternal life.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. – James 4:14

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That thought has stayed with me ever since. The idea that this life is but a “foretaste of glory divine,” as the hymn “Blessed Assurance” says, motivates me to press forward in my daily Christian life.

If I renew that idea each day, it gives me energy when I’m tired, patience when I’m short-tempered, and hope when I’m disappointed.

But the thing is, not everyone I know will be part of that Heavenly experience. Some believe that if they do enough good in this world, they will be allowed into Heaven. But that belief is man-made.

The Bible says that only a belief in Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the cross, for all mankind, can redeem a person and make him worthy of heaven.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. – Titus 3:4-6

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8

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I hope you are going to Heaven one day. If you’re sure that you are, I look forward to meeting you there!

If you’re not sure of where you will spend your eternal life, please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I welcome your comments!

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