20 March 2024 - We are made to last forever

Jesus came to destroy the fear of death

Ecclesiastes 3:11(NLT) God has … planted eternity in the human heart.

John 11:25-26(NKJV) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

I think one of the best books ever written is surely the book of Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life. In the book he writes: This life is not all there is. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death - in eternity - than you will here. Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the try-out for your life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. This life is preparation for the next.

The Bible refers to our body as a tent, our temporary home, and heaven as our permanent house. Our life here on earth is just to prepare us for eternity.

2 Corinthians 5:1(TEV) When this tent we live in-our body here on earth-is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever.

1 John 2:17(NLT) And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. Life on earth is only a test Each day is a test, a test is to prepare us for eternity. James 1:12(NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Our destiny is to live forever Psalm 119:19(NLT) I am only a foreigner in the land.

1 Peter 2:11(MSG) Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cosy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

Just to make sure that we are not too cosy in this life, our lives are full of problems and obstacles. We will never be hundred percent satisfied on earth and that is determined to be so. This earth is not our final destination. We are created for something better: eternity. The good news is that our final destination is not here on earth, it is only the beginning. Our end on earth is the beginning of eternity.

When life gets tough, when you are overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you will not leave home, you will go home.

When we reach the end of our earthly journey, we are at the real beginning.