Immortality

Humankind has always longed for immortality.  Legends and stories are full of the pursuit of it, and now, with today's technology, we still do everything we can to not die -- sometimes it seems that the goal of life is just to keep it going as long as possible.  Yet at the same time, immortality is seen as a thing to be feared -- we would have to admit that death is actually a mercy compared to living on forever in the world as it is going.  Yet still we refuse to resign ourselves to it.  We hate the thought of getting old, but what else do you think will happen if you don't die young?  Is there an answer?  Or are we doomed to go on searching for something we can't have and, come to think of it, don't really want?

I venture to suggest that the reason mankind can't stop thinking about immortality is because we are immortal.  And somewhere deep down, we all know it.  Whether we like it or not, we will continue to exist forever, and whether we will like it or not depends entirely on our choices in our "mortal" life (which is merely a prelude or "trial run" before the continuation of it).  Or should I say, our Choice -- either to trust God's plan of redemption from death through Jesus Christ, who defeated it on our behalf, and embrace the true life He offers, or to do the best we can to create our own artificial immortality and earn nothing but living death forever.  Yes, such an immortality we would do well to fear!  But the other promises glories beyond all we could imagine in a million years, because it will last far longer than that.  Is there any choice, really, when faced with these options?

What a difference it could make if we truly believed in our immortality!  Not only would we take seriously our own eternal well-being, but we would see others quite differently.  As C. S. Lewis says, "There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal. . . . it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendours."  Would that thought affect the way we treat and relate to others?  It should.  What kind of immortality will you have, and will the people around you share it?

"Our Savior, Christ Jesus . . .

has destroyed death and has

brought life and immortality

to light through the gospel."

2 Timothy 1:10