Life After Death

Our text tells us we are burdened and groaning. Yet, according to Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has put eternity into our hearts. We were made for something more than this life! Thus, in addition to temporal life being temporary and anticipatory, eternal existence is certain for everyone.

Paul’s second point is this: we ought to live with cheerful confidence. Pauls’ words, we are to be of “good courage,” have inherently the distinct element of cheerful confidence. Cheerful, courageous confidence follows from remembering what is always true; God has saved us and made us His own, He is always with us. We live, then, by faith, not by sight. Biblical faith is not a blind leap into the dark, it is the assurance of things hoped for. This hope is not a shallow looking to some future possibility but a certainty made sure by God’s promises. Things may or may not go well for us here in our temporal life but we have an eternity with Him to which we confidently look forward. That makes suffering tolerable, enabling the cheery confidence to which Paul exhorts believers. It is no wonder believers long for heaven.

All of this is tempered by the coming judgment. As we have seen, in addition to temporal life being temporary and anticipatory, eternal existence is certain. While believers will not be judged except for rewards resulting from a life lived for Jesus Christ, non-believers will be judged for their sins, a judgment before which they will be unable to stand. Even today, however, non-believers are invited to come to Jesus in repentance and faith, trusting Him for the salvation He promises. Oh Sinner, come today.