For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13
The above verse contrasts how in this life we need to live by faith with many things being dim to us, but in eternity it will all become clear in the presence of our Savior. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to live by faith and trust in God’s Word which reveals the character of our Lord. Many things we face in life are a mystery to us, but we press on in faith, love and hope that God will use it all for His glory. In eternity, when we pass from this life into God’s presence, we will no longer need faith or hope as all will be known to us and we will be with the Creator of all that exists. Love is the one thing that is eternal! Our love for God and people is the highest and greatest priority for us in this life as taught in the two greatest commandments by Jesus. Our love for God will also be with us in heaven, but it will be unhindered by our sinful flesh and weaknesses we have in these human bodies. According to the verse above, our understanding will be expanded to a measure we cannot comprehend now, and we will one day have new eternal resurrection bodies like Jesus. As my dad passed away in January, and then a very dear friend, Chris Kirkendall passed away today, I thought to look up on google what months have the highest rate of death. According to google, January ranks #1 and February #2 in most deaths. It could very well be due to the hardships of the colder weather and darker days, but regardless, it is the months many people die and then comes eternity for them. If they knew the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, heaven/paradise have been promised them, and the above verse is a great comfort to all of us left behind. If the person rejected Jesus and instead chose to rule their own soul, scripture teaches judgment and condemnation await and this is something we hope all would avoid. If Jesus comes back in our lifetime, the above verse is an incredible promise of how intimate our relationship with Him will be in eternity and something we should all long for; in the meantime, we must all press on in faith that God is in control and we can trust Him in all our circumstances, we must hope that He is working all things out for good as Romans 8:28 teaches, and we must put love for God and people as our highest priority for our life. Blessings!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Gary Houdek