Since I was a little girl I've been concerned about the idea of eternity.
I could never fully grasp how long it was. It seemed impossible that there was no end to eternity. Surely there has to be a time limit on it, just like everything else?
John 3:16, which is arguably the most well known Bible verse ever, talks about eternal life. It says, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'
I've had this idea that eternity is a little scary, mostly because I can't know what it will be like. However, what I've learnt over the years is that the idea of eternity doesn't need to be scary. It's just like the way I've learnt to put my trust in God each day, which is something that has pretty much become second nature now. I've learnt that God is trustworthy, reliable and dependable, so why should eternity be any different from that? If I therefore understand eternity as life with God, then what a ride it's going to be. I've also learnt that eternity isn't just this far off thing that only comes about when we die, but that we have it now when we believe in Jesus, as He teaches in John 5:24,
'I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.'
I wonder how you feel about the idea of eternity? Excited, that you get to spend forever with God? Nervous, because you aren't quite sure what to expect, or maybe you've never thought about it?
Well whatever it may be that you think or feel about the prospect of eternity let 1 John 4:15-18 give you confidence in knowing that we need not be fearful or nervous because we can face God with confidence because of Jesus beautiful act of love on the cross.
‘All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.’
Why not spend some time reflecting on the passage from 1 John 4:15-18 and see what God may want to say to you.
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