A Pastor’s Perspective

“Lost and Found Forever” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

Lost.  I somehow misplaced my wallet.  I hate when this happens.  When my wallet’s lost, I feel lost. Panic gripped my heart.  “What if someone finds it that I don’t want to find it?”  I’m so rattled my mind can’t focus on anything else.  “WHERE IS MY WALLET!”   Oh man, if I don’t get it back, I’ll have to cancel my credit cards, go to the DMV, and not to mention the cash.  Oh, probably no cash to worry about.

I went through the whole day without any success of locating it.  I retraced my steps a hundred times-even bribed my kids with a reward if they help search.  I opened the shop door once again to check the van.  “Eureka!”  The wallet was on the floor.  Now that I have the wallet, all that’s inside is mine.  Relief.

Jesus is mine.  I am His.  Since He dwells in my heart by faith, I have what is inside Him.  Eternal life.  Though the wages of my sin is death, the Bible also declares “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).  What I could not earn or “purchase” by my good works, God freely gave me as a gift.  He invites all to receive and “open” the gift of eternal life through receiving Jesus Christ by faith.

When does eternal life begin?   It starts the moment a person receives the Source of eternal life.  “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1John 5:11-12). 

How long does it last?  Eternally…after all, it is “everlasting” life.  God’s Word clearly shows that a person who has genuine saving faith in the Jesus revealed in the Bible has everlasting life.  “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).  Sadly, for people who attempt to get right with God any other way than by complete trust in Jesus, “the wrath of God abides on him.”

I have everlasting life…now.  What relief!  What joy with God!  I was lost, but now I’m found…forever.  If I die today, I’m assured by the Bible that I will be ushered into the very presence of God.  Do you have that assurance?  Give up trying to be good by your own efforts.  Admit you’re a lost sinner and accept God’s free gift of everlasting, eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord.