When we think about eternal life, a lot of times you think that that just means that we get to live forever – after this life.  It is true that, at the end of His earthly life, Jesus ascended into heaven to live forever.  And we will certainly join Jesus there.

     It is also true that, in the book of Revelation, we see visions of countless people robed in white who are in heaven.  So, that is the promise of living forever in heaven.

     But it seems as if there are two ways that the gospels see eternal life.  In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke – people question Jesus about “inheriting” eternal life.  This seems to indicate receiving eternal life after you die (Matt. 19:16-21, Matt. 19:29, Mark 10:30, Luke 18:18-23, and others). 

     But in the gospel of John, Jesus speaks of having eternal life in the present tense.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36) “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.”  (John 5:24) “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.”  (present tense, John 5:39) “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.”  (John 6:47)

     “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day” (John 6:54) This statement implies that eternal life begins now as we eat the body and blood of Jesus in holy communion.

     The writer of John or the Jesus portrayed in John is speaking of an eternal life that is a part of our existence during the course of this life.  That causes me to ponder just what that eternal life is and what it looks like.

     So, I would propose that eternal life is that way of living in Jesus where you are more concerned about those kinds of things and those parts of life that are eternal.  That is, when you think of love and live in love – you are living in the eternal: eternal life.  When you give mercy and grace and forgiveness – and live in mercy and grace and forgiveness, then you are living in eternal life.

     I believe the same is true when you stop and contemplate nature.  The sun and the trees are an ever-present reality in this life.  So, basically, they are “forever” a part of this life that God has made.  And so, by contemplating or resting your mind and your awareness in them, then you are living in eternal life – in that moment.  The same is true of rocks and water, dogs and cats and mosquitoes.

     As I have considered these things, it is interesting that living in this eternal life leaves out your ego.  That part of your personality that is so concerned with its own interests.  When your attention is focused on those “eternal” things outside of yourself, you are less focused on your worries and your greeds.  You just live in the moment, with Jesus.

     And in that moment, you taste of something that is other than this self-centered life.  You taste of eternity.

     This is a skill that you can train.  Learning to live in the moment.  Learning to live in eternity.  One day at a time.  One hour at a time.