Breath of Eternal Life

It doesn’t take much for us to lose focus on what’s important in life and begin to “major in the minors,” as the old saying goes. To counter that, it takes intentional, purpose-filled thoughts and actions. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” But it’s the things that are “seen” that lure us into behaviors that get us into trouble.

James highlights the fact that there were some folks making bias distinctions between the rich and the poor, and other behaviors that did not (and do not) exemplify Christ. But, as followers of Christ we must be, as Peter says in 1 Peter 1:14-17, “[Like] obedient children, [who] do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”

Life is filled with things that won’t last: from your favorite pair of shoes, to your ability to run upstairs, to your dog Sparky. But technically life doesn’t last – at least down here. Having that thought in our head can help us stay focused. In Psalms 90, Moses sang a song of praise to the Everlasting God, the One who had seen him through some of the most amazing things witnessed by human eyes. As the much older Moses reflected on God’s presence, he says in 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

To know that physical life has a starting point and an ending point is actually a helpful thing. Not necessarily enjoyable, but a good reminder of how we should live while here. Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” And Paul goes on to describe that as “stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one…,” which was also one of Jesus’ last prayers (John 17).

Throughout our study of the book of James, this has been a common theme – using wisdom from above to understand the value and importance of unity among brethren – how we should live.

The Holy Spirit, who is “our seal for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), is God’s gift to us to help us think and act with an eternal focus, a God-like focus on the life beyond breath. All that we have ever known is dependent upon physical breath: from our first breath at birth, to those beautiful or horrifying moments that take our breath away, to the struggle to breathe in those final moments down here. However, the more I am reminded of how I can use that breath to glorify God instead of tearing down those created in His image, the more I can find peace within and among others.

As God breathed life into the first man, Adam, and as Paul compares Christ as the first (eternal) man (Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15), God breathes a new kind of breath into us via the Holy Spirit at the moment we clothe ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27). That new breath not only changes how we’ll live in heaven, but how we will live down here!