Know That You Already Have Eternal Life

Many times we don’t feel very confident about anything. Climate change and natural disasters, political violence and terrorist threats, resurgent racism and sexism, precarious work-the list goes on. What kind of a world are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?

Sometimes, religious faith has been used as a way to deny or avoid problems. “Don’t worry, you’ll go to heaven in the end.” But that just lets injustice continue and lets the powerful keep their privilege. Surely, that is not God’s good intention for creation.

Perhaps the opposite can and should be true: trust in God lets us face issues head on. To quote one of Luther’s hymns, even if all earthly goods and relationships are lost, “they [evil ones] yet have nothing won.” We still belong to God.

That kind of fearlessness is anything but easy. That’s why the Bible keeps reminding us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. In Christ all creation is new, and eternal life has already begun. That’s why Christians continue to gather to encourage one another.

Whatever comes, remember that you belong to God.

Loving God, you have called us by name and given us new life in Jesus. Give us courage to live with confidence as your people. Amen. — PS