His Story of Goodness Part 7: Eternal Life

"...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)

Of all the expressions of God's heart of goodness, none other reaches the pinacle as the gift of eternal life. What is probably the most well known and loved verse in the Bible bears this out beautifully:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NKJV)

When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it means more than just existing forever. It means living forever in perfection. That means all that is imperfect will will be gone forever!

1 Corinthians 13:10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

From the last book of the Bible, when the "apostle whom Jesus loved" was shown a glimpse of this:

Revelation 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

It will be perfect because because we will dwell with God and see him face to face (Revelation 22:3-4). He will glorify His children (Romans 8:15-17). He will perfect us, conforming us to His image (Romans 8:29-30 , 1 John 3:1-2). He will transform these tired, sick and mortal bodies into beautiful, glorious and immortal ones (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:20-21). Our joy will be perfect and last forever (Isaiah 35:10, Psalm 16:11). We will reign with Christ (Romans 5:17). He will share with us all the treasures of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

All of this is ours through faith. Believe from the heart that God is good and worthy of our praise. Believe that he is good enough to offer all this and it will be your!

Revelation 22: 12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

His Story of Goodness Part 6: Adoption

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)

God's essential nature is love. How wonderful that expression of that nature toward us in that God Himself would be to us our Father. Not a dictator, not a tyrant, not a ruthless ruler, but as our God He also becomes toward us our Father. This means an intimate, loving relationship where He cares for, provides, teaches, shares His riches with and dwells with us. The perfect Father.

Those in Christ are said to be "adopted" by God:

Ephesians 1:4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

How marvelous that by believing in His Son, he bestows upon us "sonship" in which "we might receive the full rights of sons" (Galatians 4:5). In doing so, he has made us holy--set apart for special honor. In adopting us, He is said to be "lavishing" love upon us. Imagine that glory, to be lavished with the love of God! Why does he do such an awesome thing? Because He is good.

Therefore, let us give Him sacred honor in our hearts, elevating our affection toward Him to the level of worship! Let us not forget or treat as a common thing the love that is lavished upon us but let us consider Him holy. Let us set him apart for sacred honor.

O Lord God, what an awesome privilege to have you as Father. Increase my faith by your Spirit that this gift might not become "normal" but continually bring joy and a sense of awe of your great love!