Eternity is a Long Time to be Wrong

Would you rather listen than read?

Driving affords one the opportunity to do many things. The most important thing is to pay attention to what one is doing. Some choose to talk on the phone for hours on end. Others make the (dangerous) decision to partake in texting while driving. Some enjoy listening to music and singing along with their favorite artists. Recently, this author made the decision to spend much time in silent reflection. Thoughts bounced around many different subjects from the upcoming sermon on Sunday to random things seen and overheard while on the trip. That is until the author saw a sign in front of a Baptist church which read, “Eternity is a long time to be wrong.” Think about eternity for a moment. Truth be told, it is a place where time does not truly exist as eternity is without beginning or end. It just is.

For the Christian eternity is a great thought. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:17). An eternity with Christ in Heaven does not make eternity such a bad thing.

Now, think about eternity in reference to those who are wrong. That is, those who, like Naaman, had the “Behold, I thought…” mentality to the Bible and religion (2 Kin. 5:11). For those who, like Demas, knew what was right but loved the present world more than God (2 Tim. 4:10). For those who, like Felix, wanted to wait for a convenient season but waited too long (Acts 24:25). For those, who like the Athenians, heard the gospel of Christ but mocked those who preach it (Acts 17:32). Eternity is a long time to be wrong. The Bible gives Hell this terrible picture: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). How long does this last? “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 24:46). Eternity is a long time to be wrong. It is a place with no beginning or end. It just is. Therefore, it is imperative that one look at his life and compare it to the life of Christ and His Word (1 Pet. 3:21; Jam. 1:25). Are we truly walking in His steps or have we been wrong all along?

If one reading this has not already done so, obey the gospel of Christ today. Having heard God’s Word (Rom. 10:17), having a firm believe on that Word (Mark 16:16), repented of one’s sins (Acts 2:38), and confessing Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), one must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Eternity is much too long for us to be wrong.