Life #00: If You Could Live Forever, Would You?

New Year's 2008, Kaneohe Bay

Aloha! and welcome to my first posting.

At one of our “talk story” sessions, my brother asked: "When Jesus said ‘if we believe in him and live, we will never die’—did he mean it?”

I was shocked. I hadn’t given it any thought.

In its full context Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25, 26 NIV)

To “never die” is a mixed blessing. Mom was in her eighties. She was tired and ready to go. After all, just how many dirty dishes can a person look forward to washing? And when does cooking one more meal become one too many? I think that’s why Jesus gave us the first option. Because after our bodies die, called a “rest”, our spirits continue to live. God is, after all, the God of the living.

But the second option—to live and never die? We’d have to remain young, healthy, and indestructible, wouldn’t we!

If someone revealed a way to remain thirty until we’re 900 years old—would we do it? Knowing the present condition of the world today—would we want to? And could a person get bored after living 400 years? I wish I could “talk story” with Methuselah (Genesis 5:27).

Instead, we’re going on a quest to check out Jesus’ second life promise. Join us if you like. And bring your faith. It’ll help when the going gets rough.