READING:
One-year plan: John 4-5
Two-year plan: Ezekiel 31-32, 1 Peter 4:7-19
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I suppose if you asked believers what “eternal life” means, they would say what many of us would first say: “eternal life means I’ll live forever after I die.” That understanding of eternal life isn’t wrong, of course, but it’s not enough. Look at Jesus’ words in John 5:24—“I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.”
When God saves us, He gives us eternal life. That’s a present tense condition that must change the way I live today. Because I have eternal life, I should live with eternity in mind. Temporary idols should lose their power. Worry should lessen. Broken relationships should be restored. Recurrent sin should no longer be recurrent. Grief should be fleeting, and rest should be sweet. Life today should be victory, and the resurrection to come will be a validation of eternal life we already possess.
When we view “eternal life” as only that which comes after death, though, we fail to see the importance of present tense faith. Faith that is only future-tense oriented easily loses its victory and joy in the present.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is your faith a present-tense faith?
PRAYER: “God, thank You for giving me life!”
TOMORROW’S READING:
One-year plan: John 6:1-7:44
Two-year plan: Ezekiel 33, 1 Peter 5
MEMORIZATION VERSE (November 1-15)
“And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” (Luke 24:51-52)