Eternal life isn't just Heaven

Sure, if you’re a Christian, you’ll go to Heaven someday, but why wait to experience God’s presence? The entire purpose of your Christian life, eternal life, is walking with God.

Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God. (John 17:3). Not a mental cognizance of His existence, but an experiential knowledge of God. Everyone knows that God exists, even demons. At least they have enough sense to respect His power. (James 2:19) The knowledge of God we need is not instantaneous; it’s grown over time, like an oak tree. Once that relationship becomes a full-grown oak, what can uproot it?

In Matthew 22:36-40, a man asked Jesus which Mosaic commandment was most important. On the surface, this person seemed to desire the true essence of a relationship with God, however he only wanted to trick Jesus into making a mistake. Ironically, Jesus gives the answer to the former while addressing the latter. To have this deep relationship with God, and indeed the motivation to fulfill every commandment in the law, all you need to do is love God. All of the good things you will ever do for God must be a fruit of your un-obligated love for Him, or that act is a waste of time. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Jesus said that all of the thousands of commandments root from this simple truth. But it’s not just a truth or a rule-it’s a way of living. A life of intimate, marriage knowledge of God, walking with Him in the cool of the day, and becoming His best friend. If you try to make loving God a rule by which you justify yourself into being right, you’re wrong. Love God because you want to. He doesn’t want your obligated service. He wants your wholehearted loyalty motivated by love. He loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) If you spend time with God begrudgingly, you’re wasting your time.

Wake up and experience the simplicity of eternal life. Just enjoy God for who He is. In your prayer time, thank Him for the breath in your lungs and clothes on your body. Or better yet, say nothing at all and just imagine yourself walking wordlessly hand-in-hand with Him on the quiet path, the cool, crisp breeze on your face and the smell of fall in the air, and not having a care in the world.

Take a rest from doing and just be with God. That’s what He died for. (John 3:16) Don’t take my word for it. Look it up yourself.

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