An Eternal Perspective

A lot of pastors speak about having an eternal perspective but what does that really mean? How can we even go about having an eternal perspective when we are living in such a harsh world? Plus if we are saved we already know that we still be spending eternity in heaven so how can an eternal perspective really help us that much anyway?

When people talk about living with an eternal perspective what they are really saying is we need to live in a "God focused" kind of perspective. God calls us to live like this in order to bless us in two different ways - First, we know that although good works are NOT what saves us, our good deeds are rewarded in heaven. Christ talks about storing up riches in heaven in Matthew 6:19-21 which states;

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Christ is basically saying if you are living with the kind of morals and teachings that I have given you, you will be storing up rewards in heaven which are of infinite more value than the treasures on Earth that will be fleeting.  It’s kind of like a bonus for loving and being obedient to God .

The second reason Christ tells us to live with this perspective applies a little more to our time here on Earth. Jesus teaches us to live for eternity because he understands the pain of this world and so he’s showing us a way to cope with it. Having a God focused (eternal) mindset helps us to get through all of the injustice, evil, shocking, and heartbreaking things we live through every day. We are reminded that God is in control through everything we endure, he is much bigger and he has promised to work all things for our good. We are even able to see blessings that we most likely would have missed by staying focused on God. This leads 

to a much more joyful and peaceful time on Earth and God has that much more ability to use you for great things for his kingdom here on Earth.

When we are God focused our path will be straighter – we’ll be running toward God instead of being distracted away from him. The decisions we make for our life should completely change if we are living for eternity. For example instead of living life for yourself, it is living in a way that is pleasing to God even if here on Earth it isn’t comfortable. We know that the pain we face now is only a speck in our existence.

Now living a God focused life isn’t always easy, in fact there will be times when it feels pretty darn awful - just study Paul’s life. It is a perspective that we have to meditate on every day and ask God to enable us to have constantly because everything in our nature pulls against this mindset.  So how can we live this way?

- Prayer! First and foremost!

Prayer is the most valuable time we will ever have on this Earth. It is way to build an intimate relationship with God, to understand who he really is, to get through our struggles, and to hear what God wants for each of our lives. Prayer helps us to love God more and deeper and when you love God more you can’t help but have an eternal perspective.

     

- Fellowship with other believers!

Having people in our lives that can keep us accountable and headed on the right path is invaluable. God repeatedly calls for us to be in loving fellowship with one another so that we can encourage each other’s walk with God as well as show deep love to one another. He understands we need the physical and emotional comfort to survive this world.

-  Starting the day in worship

If we began the day with God we are much more likely to end the day with God, plain and simple! Focusing on God from the get go will keep our relationship with God fresh and centered. When we remember how much God loves us and how compassionate and generous he is, having an eternal perspective becomes much easier than we even thought it could be. Starting the day also helps us on those days we endure hardships and we all know there can be many.

Let me leave you with this beautiful promise from God, Rev. 21:1-5;

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”