Our modern culture is obsessed with extending life. From health practices to medical advancements, humans naturally desire to add more days to their existence. Paul stated that there was benefit to physical exercise (1 Timothy 4:8) and we should be good stewards of the physical body God gave us. Yet, this temporal focus often blinds us to a profound truth: our earthly life is but a dot compared to the endless line of eternity. As a husband, father, grandfather, this eternal perspective is something for which I try to constantly strive. It should affect my day to day decision-making, how I act in business, in the home and everywhere in between.
The Dot: Our Temporal Life
James 4:14 reminds us that our life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” This brevity of human existence isn’t just poetic imagery; it’s a stark reality that should shape our perspective. I know, that I, personally, sometimes get too focused on the here and now. Many people live focused solely on this temporal existence, trying desperately to extend their days, yet missing the greater reality of eternal life.
The Line: Understanding Eternal Life
Jesus made a revolutionary proclamation in John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” This verse teaches three crucial truths:
- Eternal life is a present possession ("has eternal life")
- Believers have already passed from death to life
- There is no final judgment concerning eternal destiny for believers
Notice a common theme? The word eternal. Think about that phrase, “eternal life”. In Psalm 90:10-12, we are reminded of the length of our years. We are reminded to see the brevity of life. Seventy to eighty years does not stack up against eternity. Think about it…everyone who has lived is eternal. Note I did not say infinite, but eternal. God gives us a chose of where we will spend eternity. We can accept the free gift of eternal life. This eternal life isn’t something that cannot be lost or taken away. Unlike temporal possessions that can be stolen or destroyed, eternal life is permanently secured through faith in Christ. It’s not maintained through works or perseverance, but through the finished work of Christ. What our works do affect is the “quality” or our eternity.
Living with an Eternal Perspective
Understanding this truth should transform how we live. While all believers will experience eternal joy, not all will experience the same measure of joy or privileges. The choices we make now—in this dot—impact our experience in the line of eternity. Some specific eternal rewards include:
- Ruling with Christ (Revelation 2:26-27; 2 Timothy 2:12)
- Eating from the Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7; 22:1-2)
- Wearing special white garments (Revelation 3:4-5)
- Eating of the hidden manna (Revelation 2:17)
- Receiving a special nickname from the Lord (Revelation 2:17
- Access to the New Jerusalem through its gates (Revelation 21:9-27)
This life is our only opportunity to determine how full our everlasting experience will be (2 Peter 1:11).
Making it Personal
Paul understood this eternal perspective when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
The choice before us is clear: we can live for the dot—our brief temporal existence—or we can live for the line—the eternal reality that awaits believers. Living for the line doesn’t mean we ignore our earthly responsibilities, but rather that we view them through the lens of eternity. Every decision, every action, every investment should be weighed against its eternal significance. This is a constant battle as a part of our sanctifying walk with Christ. If you are like me, there will be better days than others. There will be days you outright fail, but what is the trajectory? The trend?
Remember, you don’t need to worry about losing your eternal life once you’ve believed in Christ. Instead, focus on living faithfully now, knowing that your current choices are shaping your eternal experience. If you do fail, turn to Christ, confess and repent (1 John 1:9) as necessary.
As you go through your day today, ask yourself: “Am I living for the dot or the line?” Let this eternal perspective guide your choices, priorities, and investments in God’s kingdom as a parent, spouse, child…whatever role(s) you have in this life.
