God Wants to Spend Eternity With You

by Rick Warren — September 29, 2022
From Eternal Realities

“If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.”

Romans 8:11 (GNT)

God never promised that life would be fair. Heaven is where everything is done God’s way; life on Earth just doesn’t work like that. We live on a broken planet.

But what happens on Earth isn’t all there is to life.

You’ll spend 60, 80, or maybe 100 years on Earth. You’ll spend trillions of years in eternity. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, the Bible says you’ll spend eternity with God in heaven.

That’s one of the most important reasons Christians should be joyful—God has given us eternal life!

And eternity will be amazing.

The Bible promises: “If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you” (Romans 8:11 GNT).

What will heaven be like? You’ll be reunited with people you love. You’ll get rewards. You’ll get rest. You’ll get responsibilities you love.

And, as Romans 8:11 says, you’ll get a new body. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about in heaven—no more decaying old body.

You were created because God wants a family. He wants to spend eternity with his family. He wants to spend eternity with you and me! And that truth can bring you great joy.

Talk It Over

  • How does knowing that life is short compared to all of eternity change the way you live?
  • If God wants you in heaven with him, why do you think you are here on Earth now? What is your purpose for the time you are here?
  • How are you working to fulfill your purpose?

God wants you in his family

God made you to love you, and one of the places you see that most clearly is on the cross. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God made it possible for you to become part of his family for eternity. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I know I don’t deserve it, but I humbly ask for your forgiveness. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“I want to change my life and follow Jesus, starting right now. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. And I believe you will keep your promise to accept me into your family for all eternity. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.