How should my hope of eternal life in the future affect the way I live now?

Mark 8:36-37“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Luke 12:15-21Then he [Jesus] said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

If this life and its rewards are all there is, with no life after death, then a “why bother?” attitude would be understandable. But looking for quick and easy enjoyment on earth ignores both earthly and eternal rewards. First, when we follow and obey God, we put ourselves in position to enjoy life the way it is meant to be enjoyed; our relationships are healthier, our lives are full of integrity, and our consciences are clear. Second, this life is not all there is. The Bible is very clear that those who trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin receive the promise of eternal life. Our faithfulness in this life may or may not result in material prosperity, but the rewards in eternity will be more than we could ever imagine.

Mark 8:34-35“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”

Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

When we are absolutely convinced that Jesus died on the Cross to save us from since and give us the gift of eternal life, then the troubles of this world are put in perspective. We know that our future—for all eternity—is secure. This gives us peace no matter what happens in this life and changes the way we react to the troubles and trials life throws our way. Our sinful natures no longer control us with lust and fear; we are free to live as God calls us to live.

John 11:25-26Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

We should be neither too elated with earthly success, nor too distressed by earthly failures, because we know that the best of this life is just a shadow of what is to come.