A Christian Guidebook: What Is Eternal Life? (5)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which arenot seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4.16-18

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3.1-3

Eternal life now
Eternal life becomes ours the moment God, by grace, grants us the gift of faith and salvation. Eternal life and salvation are inseparably entwined; they are part and parcel of one another. We expect to know certain immediate and increasing effects and benefits of becoming saved: among these, forgiveness of our sins, openness to spiritual things, desire to learn Jesus, and participation in His Body. These are the evidence of true and lively faith, and we expect to grow in this great salvation throughout the course of our lives.

In the same way that we have salvation now, we also have eternal life, that is, the gift of knowing God and Jesus Christ. And we have this gift now. Jesus Christ, we know, is with us always, just as He promised (Matt. 28.18-20). He is with us wherever we are. But, and in a very real sense, we can also say that we are with Him where He is. Paul says our life has been hidden in God with Jesus, and that we are seated with Jesus at the right hand of the Father (Eph. 2.6).

This, I concede, can be very difficult to realize. How do we experience being seated with Jesus in heavenly places? What should we expect to “see” in that context and from that vantage point? How much of this aspect of eternal life—the then and there of our salvation—should we expect to realize in our here and now?

At least some, according to Scripture. And enough to strengthen and encourage us to “look” and “set our mind” on our then and there for very real help throughout our spiritual journey here and now.

Eyes of the heart
In Ephesians 1.15-23 Paul provides insight to how we may engage heavenly realities throughout our earthly and temporal sojourn. As he prayed for the Ephesians, so, we can believe, he would have prayed for us as well. But what did he pray?

First, that God would give us His Spirit for “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (v. 17). The Spirit, we know, works with the revelation of God in Scripture to make us more like our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3.12-18). He uses the entire Bible to help us increase in our experience of eternal life. This is true for knowing more of our great salvation as well as for glimpsing more of our eternal life. Scripture presents many descriptions and reports to help us flesh out the details of our then and there, that these might encourage and sustain us in our here and now.

Second, Paul prayed that the “eyes” of our “heart” may be enlightened, that is, brought into the more brilliant light of divine revelation, so that we may know more of the hope of our calling—to God’s Kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2.12)—and “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (v. 18). And more, that we might know “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places [where we are seated with Him, and where we are to set our minds], far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (vv. 19-21). Surely there is much here to see and consider and ponder, realities that can refresh and renew our souls and strengthen us for our daily service in the Lord!

This idea of “seeing” with the “eyes of the heart” is mentioned both in 2 Corinthians 4.16-18 and Colossians 3.1-3. The writer of Hebrews uses similar language in instructing us to “consider” Jesus in His exaltation (Heb. 3.1; 12.3). We cannot see Jesus or look into the unseen heavenly realm with our physical eyes. Thus, Paul and the writer of Hebrews must mean for us to look with eyes of faith, based on what the Spirit reveals to us from Scripture, for an enlightening and enlarging of our sanctified spiritual imagination, so that we might glimpse the unseen realm and Jesus, exalted in glory, and thus participate in a special, spiritual way in the gift of eternal life. Then and there, here and now.

But what is the purpose of this? Why should we make this a vital part of our life in the Lord Jesus? This sounds like meditation or contemplation or long silent periods of waiting on the Lord. None of these are disciplines in which we excel, and few of us are moved to do much of anything to improve in them. Are there practical benefits we’re missing by failing to know more of eternal life in this way?

There are, indeed.

Filling and overflowing
In Ephesians 1.23, Paul describes the Church—the body of those who possess eternal life—as “the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” The Church is the fullness of Jesus. Jesus is exalted in glory, ruling in heaven, upholding the vast cosmos by His powerful Word. And the Church is Jesus in His fullness here and now.

As we in the Church look to Jesus, consider Jesus, and set our minds on Him, Jesus begins to fill us with Himself, enlivening gifts for ministry, bringing abundant spiritual fruit to ripeness, empowering us to bear witness to Him, uniting us as members of one Body so that in our unity the world might see and believe that the Father has sent Jesus for their salvation (Jn. 20.21). Paul says that Jesus is filling all things in all things, making Himself and the gift of eternal life more widely and effectually known, and He is doing this through us, His people, His sheep, His ambassadors and witnesses.

The grace of God that fills us with eternal life and opens before us heavenly vistas and power will overflow and spread from us to more and more people, with the result that thanks and praise arise to God from more parts of this world (2 Cor. 4.15). But until we learn to live every moment of our here and now in the refreshing vision and renewing power of the then and there, such a great awakening to God is not likely to occur. We know, as Paul did, the strength that sustains us from on high, from beyond this temporal sphere. And the more we know this heavenly and unseen aspect of our eternal life, the more our world will know it as well.

Search the Scriptures
1. Meditate on 2 Corinthians 4.15. What makes grace spread from you to others? How is that happening at this time?

2. Review 2 Corinthians 4.16-18. When trials, difficulties, setbacks, and temptations arise, what should we do?

3. What will you do to see, look, and consider Jesus and the heavenly realm? How might you expect knowing more of this aspect of your eternal life to help you day by day?

Next steps—Transformation: Establish some time each day for contemplating eternal life in heaven as it currently exists. Consider Jesus. Search the Scriptures for more understanding. Let this be a more fruitful aspect of your spiritual life.

T. M. Moore

Additional Resources
If you have found this study helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

For a more complete study of this subject, order the workbook, The Landscape of Unseen Things, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.