The pressure's off if we remember that our eternal life starts now

The truth that eternal life starts now should make a big difference in the way single people live.

No longer do we need to try to "measure up" for God--we can't anyway--but assurance of our secure salvation takes us off the treadmill of performance.

What a relief that is, but only if we put this knowledge to work. So many of us singles are obsessed with promotions and achievement. If someone were to ask us what we're trying to accomplish, we might be hard-pressed to answer.

Are we trying to impress family and friends? Coworkers? Are we trying to prove someone wrong who doubted us in our childhood?

No payback required

It's natural to feel grateful for your salvation. It's healthy to praise God and thank him for his goodness and his grace. Trying to repay God, however, turns our energy in the wrong direction.

When two people are deeply in love, they do nice things for each other not to put the other person in their debt, but because they want to bring joy into the other person's life. That's how it should be between God and us.

By accepting that your eternal life starts now, you understand that you can't earn something that's already been paid for. Instead, you turn your efforts to glorifying God. You act like Jesus toward other people because you long to do what God wants you to do.

Gone is the misplaced need to earn even a small part of your salvation. Gone is the false motive of trying to impress God with your holiness.

Your motives become pure--to bring honor and glory to God--and your life becomes authentic. You're on the path of spiritual maturity.

Believing the staggering promise

We've become cynical. Many of us singles have been hurt so many times that we have nagging doubts that our eternal life starts now. It seems too good to be true.

Outside Lazarus' tomb, Jesus addressed this very doubt:

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:24-26)

Jesus is asking us this same question today. If we answer "Yes. Lord," it will make all the difference in what we do. It will give us a confidence and joy that will last forever.

Return to top of eternal life starts now.