Eternal Life or Right Here and Now?

This reminds me of the Switchfoot song, Afterlife, which can be watched on youtube here. They are a Christian rock band that may not be according to everyone's tastes. I like them because the struggles they write about resonate with me.

LYRICS:

I've tasted fire, I'm ready to come alive
I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the afterlife

I'll let it burn the way the sunlight burns my skin
The way I feel inside, the way the day begins
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the other side
I'm ready now, I'm ready now

'Cause everyday
The world is made
A chance to change, but I feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait 'till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the afterlife

Yeah

I still believe we can live forever
You and I we begin forever now
Forever now, forever
I still believe in us together
You and I we're here together now
Forever now
Forever now
Or never now

'Cause everyday
The world is made
A chance to change, but I feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait 'till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the afterlife

Everyday
A choice is made
Everyday
I choose my fate

And I wonder why would I wait 'till I die to come alive?
To come alive
Everyday
Everyday
Everyday

I still feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait 'till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the afterlife

I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the afterlife

Yeah
Yeah!
Yeah!

Akita Suggagaki said:

I am more concerned about today, here and now.

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Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come. All we have is this moment in time.

Akita Suggagaki said:

So often the emphasis seems to be on Heaven or Hell, saved or unsaved, end times, etc.

I am more concerned about today, here and now. I need Christ, his strength and courage to deal with every day challenges of aging. This is where I encounter Christ, here and now. Each challenge brings me closer.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.​

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What every saint should experience in the fellowship of Christ's body.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:
that went down to the skirts of his garment.
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life everlasting.

Sometimes a denominational church can assure their members that they have met the minimum requirements for heaven and park themselves in a pew until it is time to go.

Sadly, many miss out on the primary work of a Christian, to become more like Jesus (Eph 4:13-15)

This is largely accomplished by transitioning from walking by the flesh (selfishness) to walking by the Spirit (selflessness) (Galatians chapter five)

timf said:

Sometimes a denominational church can assure their members that they have met the minimum requirements for heaven and park themselves in a pew until it is time to go.

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The churches that use the book of common prayer reads the Lord's Prayer every Sunday.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

The Lord's Prayer (also known as the Our Father) is a central part of the Catholic Mass and is typically recited every Sunday and during daily Masses. It is included in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, specifically before the sign of peace.

So you must be talking about protestant churches that do not read the Lord's prayer as a part of every service.

Diamond72 said:

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come. All we have is this moment in time.

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That one hit deep.

timf said:

Sometimes a denominational church can assure their members that they have met the minimum requirements for heaven and park themselves in a pew until it is time to go.

Sadly, many miss out on the primary work of a Christian, to become more like Jesus (Eph 4:13-15)

This is largely accomplished by transitioning from walking by the flesh (selfishness) to walking by the Spirit (selflessness) (Galatians chapter five)

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Thanks for making that distinction.