Encore

God knows the heart of each person. He knows what you need and when you need it. And in certain instances, God will take you through something that you’ve been through already.

Perhaps you need to be reminded about something or perhaps you need to see something from a different perspective or perhaps He is taking you to a higher level of understanding, so you need to dig deeper.

Whatever the reason for this encore, today God is taking us through something we have been through before – Eternal Life.

When we think of the word eternal, we think of it in terms of duration, both distant past and future time, either way it’s thought of simply as a long time. However, in Scripture, particularly in the gospel of John, “eternal” is paired with “life” where it refers not to the past but instead mingles the future and the present.

In John’s gospel, “eternal life” is not about duration but about a quality of life in which we, as God’s children, share in His eternal being, participating in the life of God by means of faith.

John 17:1-3 (NIV) gives us Jesus’ definition of eternal life.

Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

All who belong to Jesus, have access to His gift of eternal life but it’s not a done deal, for we are required to “know…the only true God and Jesus Christ”.

This knowing is not about knowing the facts about God and Jesus Christ, this knowing is not about memorizing bible verses, this knowing is not about performing in church, this knowing is about being in relationship with God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

That they may know You, is speaking about connection. It’s about faith in knowing that He now dwells in us and we in Him. Eternal life is unity with God in the present, meaning that it is in effect now.

We have truly underestimated the value of the cross. Jesus Christ’s shed blood provided eternal life to all those who God has given Him.

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:4-5 NIV)

Eternal life is in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Eternal life is not about going to heaven.

Eternal life is now.

Eternal life is not about duration it’s about depth.

Beloved, the faith to know that you have been given eternal life is not for later, it has to take effect now because it affects how you live in the present.

John 10:10 is very clear,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

The thief comes to steal what you know, understand and believe, to kill your faith and destroy the life Jesus died for you to have, making you physically alive but spiritually dead.

Jesus speaks of life, life that is full and abundant – eternal life – and is waiting for us to have.

Jesus did not come simply to help us escape this world; Jesus came to show us how to live in it.

Your life may be good, but God wants your life to be so much better, hence this “Eternal Life” encore.

God wants you to have life to the full – the best time of your life here on earth, right now.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Encore” ©2026 May 20, 2026