The Bible tells us a lot about eternity or eternal things. Eternity is one of the great promises that the church of Christ has, knowing that although this corruptible body dies, we can resurrect one day and live forever in the abodes of the Lord. We have believed this for so many years of Christianity, but it is not just believing in eternity, it is living for eternity. What do we do to live worthy as people who will one day be with the Lord for all centuries? Many Christians speak about heaven, eternal life, and glory, yet their lifestyle reflects a worldview that is rooted entirely in temporary things. Understanding eternity forces us to evaluate how we live today, how we walk with God, and how we use our time, talents, and opportunities.
First, eternal life is not something that begins in heaven; it is something that starts from the moment Christ enters our hearts. Jesus Himself made this very clear:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:28
Jesus says, “And I give them eternal life.” Christ is not saying that He will give them eternal life someday in the future, nor does He say that eternal life begins when we die. Instead, He affirms that He has already given it. Eternal life is a present possession, a spiritual reality that begins the moment a person is born again. Christ has given us eternal life, to all those who have confessed Him as Lord and King, and because of that, we must live worthy as people who truly possess eternal life. Eternal life shapes our decisions, purifies our desires, and aligns our priorities with heaven.
Sometimes we adjust so much to the material, to entertainment, technology, work, and the constant rush of this world that we forget that we possess eternal life. We can become so absorbed in the temporary that we ignore the eternal. Yet possessing eternal life involves many other things, such as sanctification, spending time alone with the Lord, cultivating communion with Him, and seeking spiritual growth instead of earthly applause. It also involves preaching the gospel in season and out of season, walking in holiness, and rejecting the sinful patterns of a world that is passing away.
Do we do all of this? Do we live as people who belong to eternity, or as people who cling desperately to the present world? The reminder of Scripture is constant: everything we see is temporary, everything we accumulate is temporary, even our bodies are temporary. But the life that Christ gives—the eternal life—is incorruptible, unshakeable, and guaranteed by the One who holds us in His hand. If this is true, then our lives should reflect this glorious reality.
Living for eternity means living with a heavenly mindset. It means remembering that we are pilgrims and strangers on earth, that our true citizenship is in heaven, and that one day we will stand before the Lord to give an account of our lives. Eternity gives value to our sacrifices, meaning to our struggles, and purpose to our obedience. What we do for Christ will never be in vain. Every act of faithfulness, every prayer, every moment of service, every tear shed in the presence of God has eternal weight.
Christ has really given us eternal life. This glorious truth should motivate us to walk in holiness, to love others deeply, to forgive quickly, and to persevere faithfully. Eternal life is not only a promise of the future; it is a power in the present—shaping our character, strengthening our hope, and reminding us daily that our destiny is not tied to this world, but to the eternal kingdom of our Lord.
Therefore, beloved, let us live with eternity in mind. Let us walk as children of the Kingdom, remembering that Christ has already placed eternal life within us. Let us seek Him, honor Him, and live each day with our eyes fixed on Him who is eternal.