Dr. Randy Carlson
As Easter approaches, we as Christ followers turn our attention to the incredible sacrifice God made. Through the death, burial and resurrection of His one and only Son, He offered each of us the gift of eternal life. But today, I want to ask you to consider something more.
[bctt tweet=”Eternal life doesn’t start when we get to heaven.”]
Eternal life is God’s gift to us, should we choose to accept it. And once we do accept it, then I believe it is our responsibility to give our lives back to him by choosing to live an intentional life in Christ. Eternal life is God’s gift to us; intentional living – choosing each day to live intentionally in Christ – is our gift back to Him. Eternal life doesn’t start when we get to heaven. Eternity is today—right now!
Each day, millions of people get up to find themselves stuck in mediocrity. George Barna, who has offered so much in the area of research of the church and of our faith, provides some staggering statistics:
- 78 % of Christ followers say, “I’m not dependent upon God.”
- 52 % claim there is more to their faith than they are experiencing today.
- Only 3 % of Christians admit to surrendering control of their life to God completely.
- 31 % of Americans feel held back by something in their past leaving less than 70 % who feel that they can move forward in their lives.
There is so much more to life than just getting by. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV). Through Christ we have a sense of hope. We know the end of the story and our promise of eternal life and yet many of us as followers of Christ live in hopelessness. We can feel hopeless about our marriages, our financial situation and relationships. There’s a sense of despair and hopelessness that we can have in our lives that keeps us from experiencing the hope we have in Christ.
How we live today sets the tone for tomorrow and the day after, and the day after. If we can grasp a real understanding that our gift to God is the choices we make and the actions we take. What we think, feel and do each and every day demonstrates our love for God. In John 14:15, Christ said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (NIV).
It’s only when you give your life as a gift back to Him that you can really live.
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What does Easter mean to you? How do you demonstrate your love for Him? Post your comments below.
