An ABC of Faith

Eternity

We start our fourth week of examining An ABC of Faith with the word eternity. It even seems that Hymn writers over the years have had problems with the concept of eternity.  Take James Milton Black and the lyrics found in the Hymn “When the Roll is called up yonder.” In one part he speaks of “Time shall be no more….” But in another part we are encouraged to sing “And the morning breaks eternal bright and fare.”

It is almost impossible for us within the time constraints of human life to perceive the concept of the eternal. Fred Buechner, again comes to our rescue with his observation that, “Eternity is not endless time of the opposite of time. It is the essence of time.”  He continues, “If you spin a pinwheel hast enough, then it’s colours blend into a single colour - white - which is the essence of all the colours of the spectre combined.

So what did Jesus mean by eternal life when he said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:28-30) Eternal here refers to life that operates simultaneously outside of time, inside of time, and beyond time.

Later in John 17:3 Jesus provides a basic definition of the eternal life to which some were appointed: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life, then, is not merely endless living, but is the quality of life that comes from having relationships with the Father and the Son. So is it more about quality than quantity?

Major Ian Thomas a Christian evangelical writer, theological teacher and founder of the Torchbearers Bible schools. says, “Eternal life is not a peculiar feeling inside! It is not your ultimate destination, to which you will go when you are dead. If you are born again, eternal life is that quality of life that you possess right now.”

1 Eternal God, our song we raise

In thankful, overflowing praise,

For men of faith whose power was thine,

Whose love no barrier could confine;

They humbly offered Christ their bread,

And lo, the multitudes were fed!

3 O may no longing of our own

Obscure the path by Jesus shown!

We would not thirst for earth’s reward

And lose the blessing of our Lord:

His cup of pain and grief and strife

That yieldeth up the gift of life.

5 Our great redeemer liveth still,

His love sustains us in thy will;

Because he conquered, we shall win,

His cross before, his joy within;

Our cheerful banners are unfurled,

For Christ has overcome the world.

Catherine Baird