LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY

The Holy Scriptures inform us that we are to live this life in light of eternity. We are to lay hold on eternal life. We are to acquire an eternal perspective. We are to enter into the reality of the kingdom of God NOW.

Titus 2:11-14 > This passage is rich in this doctrine of living this life in light of eternal realities!!! > Verse 12 says, "in this present world" we are to live in a very particular way that reflects the salvation we have received - On the side of negation, we are to "deny"(reminds us of Jesus teaching - Matthew 16:24-27) ungodliness and worldly desires - On the positive we are to live "soberly(seriously), righteously, and godly. > And where is our focus, our attention, our eyes as we live in this present world??? Answer, "looking for that blessed hope(the future promises) that will be revealed at the "glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior!!! > 1 Timothy 4:8 > Bodily exercise profits you only in temporal ways, for a little while, BUT, godliness(spiritual exercise, spiritual disciplines) benefit us in this life AND in the life to come.

LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSES AND PLANS
Ephesians 2:1-10 > Verse 7 is the hinge of this passage - The fact that we have been made alive with Christ(verse 1-6) we are to live a life of good works inspired by God's saving grace(verse 8-10) and this life we live in the here and now is inspired by the reality of the ages to come(verse 7) in which we will be shown the exceeding riches of his grace!!! > Ephesians 3:8-21 > We are "in Christ Jesus" and in Christ Jesus God has an "eternal purpose". Your life has purpose. An eternal purpose. Never think, for even a moment, that you have no purpose.(verse 11) - We are the church throughout all ages(verse 21).

LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNAL GLORY
2 Timothy 2:1-10 > The contrast is found in verse 4 with verse 10 - in verse 4 we are told of the trait of a good soldier, that "he does not entangle himself in the affairs of THIS LIFE" - This reminds us of Jesus teaching on the "Sower sows the word - Mark 4:14-20 - in verse 10 "the affairs of this life" are contrasted with "That we may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with ETERNAL GLORY"!!! Passages that reveal this glory which is yours in Christ Jesus - Colossians 1:27; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:7-10: Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 3:20,21.

LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT
2 Corinthians 5:8-10 > "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" - Romans 14:10-13 > Again, "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...every one of us will give account of himself to God" - 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 > Each one us will be tried by fire, our God is a consuming fire(Hebrews 12:29), our works, which have been rewarded with gold, silver, or precious stones for good works, and wood, hay, and straw for evil works, all these attached to you will be tried by fire, God's Holy presence. The wood, hay, straw will be consumed, but not before you give an account of them. The gold, silver, precious stones will enter into the Kingdom of God with you(2 Peter 1:10,11). Some, it is written, will enter in empty-handed, but at least will be saved. 

LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNAL REWARDS
Matthew 5:3-12 > great is your reward in heaven for those who are persecuted for living righteously(Practicing verses 3-11) > Luke 14:13,14 - You will be recompensed at the resurrection of the just for your care of the poor > He that wins souls is wise(Proverbs 11:30) - Daniel 12:2,3 > those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars in the heavens > 1 Corinthians 15:41,42 - We will all shine differently in the resurrection like the stars of the heavens - what determines how bright you shine is how many you have turned to God - the brightness is reflected partly by the crowns we receive which have have in them gemstones corresponding to your labors in this life > 1 Thessalonians 2:19(crown of rejoicing); Philippians 4:1(St Paul called the Phillipian believers "my joy, and my crown); 2 Timothy 4:6-8(a crown of righteousness) > And NOTE what Jesus said - Revelation 22:12 -"Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

LIVING THIS LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNAL VALUES
1 Timothy 6:3-19 > Verses 12 and 19 tell us "to lay hold of eternal life" - This entire passage is about a fight that we believers are embroiled in as long as we are in this world - this battle is between God and mammon, and this battle takes place in us daily - it is the battle to love God over money(possessions, things of this world, material riches) - Remember Jesus's teaching on the "Sermon on the Mount" - Matthew 6:24 - Jesus says you CANNOT serve God AND mammon!!! - "for either you will hate the one, and love the other; or else you will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." > Note the contrast(verse 17-19) between "in this life" and "the time to come". > Luke 12:13-21 - here is more of Jesus's teaching on the subject of eternal values - In 1 Timothy 6:3-10 note that we are to compare and contrast what all teachers teach about money, riches, covetousness, gain with what Jesus taught us as recorded in the Gospels. > Hebrews 10:31-39 - "you have in heaven a better and enduring substance" > Hebrews 11:8-16; 13:14 > We seek a city, we desire a better country, that is an heavenly; God has prepared for us a city!!! - We confess that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth"(Hebrews 11:13).