1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” The church I was raised in didn’t teach eternal security. One simply did the best they could and hope the God would make up for the rest. It was incredible news when I heard that heaven is our for the asking. God built within us the capacity to fear. This was for our protection. Our fear of particular consequences keeps away from all sorts of danger. We naturally have a fear of hell. We do many things to avoid it. Many do their sincere best and believe that God will understand. Others join religions and follow their routes to gain heaven. Christianity is the only one that guarantees it upon the joining. We no longer need to fear death. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord.” The removal of this great dread is a burden lifted. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey. We gain eternal life at that time. It doesn’t begin upon our death. It starts at our accepting of Christ as our lord and saviour. That’s why it’s odd that someone who avoids God throughout life hopes to get into heaven. It’s a place all about God. This life is the small space where we decide who we live for. Heaven is for those who choose God here. This life is eternal. We all live forever. However, the destinations aren’t the same. God created us to know this. Eccleciastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” We can’t conceive of our end. We instinctively know that we’ll go on forever. This brings both joy and fear. Death concerns us as we know there’s more afterwards. We have fear until we settle the question of our destination. Once we accept Christ, we anticipate. If He is so good to us here, how much more there. 1 Peter 1:8,9 says, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” He gives us a joy so great, it’s unexplainable. Circumstances might not warrant our joy. Lord, thank You for Your joy and eternal life. Thank You that we can know now.