What's Between The Prayer and The Pearly Gates?

I accepted Christ back in the 1980's. After, I sought out other Christians and began my Christian walk. For whatever reason I was quickly sent out to share with nonbelievers, earning leadership positions both in church and in a Christian group on campus. I thought I was growing. Looking back I realize something was missing. I was well versed in how to become a Christian and on what would happen at the end of life but I was not sure about what was supposed to come in between.

So what is "the walk" in between our prayer to receive Christ and our arrival at the pearly gates? Early on I was taught to spend my time trying to live right and trying to share the Gospel. Both are supported by scripture which speaks of a new creation and of the Great Commission. But scripture also speaks of a very important promise given by Jesus in His explanation of why he came to earth.

"...I come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Jesus speaking in John 10:10

Followers of Christ have received life and we have received it more abundantly. That sounds like something good, especially considering the context. Jesus spoke these words showing a contrast between himself and "the thief," who comes to steal and to kill. The thief comes to take something away from us, leaving behind a person who is empty, not having received abundant life. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. So what is abundant life?

I'm not sure how I would've answered that question twenty or thirty years ago. Whatever I would have said likely would have sounded good, perhaps even biblical. But my actions and my emotions likely would have looked more like work than like life. Back then I was doing church, serving in every way possible even at the expense of my own health. I was trying to prove that I was a great Christian. This was not life. It was the path of self destruction, a path on which I had a lot of company.

I didn't want to admit it but that kind of walk is just another form of idolatry. It was a life that had a form of godliness on the outside but was lacking power on the inside. Instead of drawing from God I was pouring out from my own emptiness thinking that if I didn't do it, it might not get done. Yes the pats on the back I received from fellow Christians were nice but I was still longing for something else. I was still longing for abundant life.

"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will."

John 5:21

There's no way around it. If Jesus is Who the Bible says He is, then life begins in Him. This life is more than just a beating heart and the ability to do things. Every person walking on earth has that no matter what they believe. So then what is it that Jesus promised in John 10:10?

"And this is Eternal Life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

John 17:3

According to Jesus eternal life is a relationship. We tend to define it as living forever. That's just a side effect of a relationship with the everlasting Father. Likewise it follows that abundant life comes as a result of the same relationship in which Christ pours out and we receive. Our actions (our obedience) come in response to this relationship not as a way of earning the relationship. As such we are to live as God's children, not out of burden but simply because that's what we are. (John 1:12-13).

Here's where I have to confess that I do not fully know what abundant life looks like. I know Christ should be recognizable within those who have abundant life. How that plays out is perhaps too much to go into in a single blog post. I do know that abundant life is a gift given freely by Christ to those who believe. It is something we all can enjoy in between our prayer to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, and the day we reach our heavenly mansion. This abundance is much more than just acting like a Christian should. It is a life of fullness that is a result of walking daily with the creator of the universe.

I trust that as I focus on Him I will receive that gift of abundant life. Are you open to receiving from Christ? If Your a Christian how are you spending your time between your prayer to receive Christ and your arrival at the Pearly Gates?


(Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)