Something I learned recently and have been pondering is the deeper meaning of the phrase “eternal life.” I had always interpreted it as pertaining to life after death, life continuing on in Heaven after the death of our physical bodies. Maybe you have done the same.
In John 3:16, (“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”) the Hebrew words for “eternal life” are meant to convey a life that begins now, in the present, in some measure, and continues without end. It implies a quality of life, an abundant life, as well as a life that has no end.
If someone has a deathbed conversion – just like the thief on the cross – Jesus accepts them and their confession, but they have missed the abundant life that they could have experienced during their time on earth, in the here and now. They have missed the peace, the joy, the comfort, the purpose that could have been theirs. They have missed living life on a solid foundation, with the satisfaction that comes from surrendering all to his will. The criminal on the cross was there because of his wrongdoing; he had no time to do good works, to prove the sincerity of his faith, or to demonstrate that he had turned from the wrongdoing that had characterized a part of his life to that point. But after professing his belief in Jesus, Jesus tells him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Accepted. Saved and safe forever, but sadly having missed the good life during his time on planet earth.
Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t wait to start walking with the Savior. Don’t wait to surrender. Don’t wait to worship. Don’t wait to begin this good, good life. Don’t wait. Eternal life is now.
Life By The Way 