Life in Christ is a journey, not merely an event or destination. Christ came to set us free from our sin; but in the bigger context, He came to welcome us into a new kind of life, a “kingdom building” life.
The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you might have life to the fullest (John 10:10).
Jesus clearly teaches that He has come to change our situation not just at some time in the future, but starting right now: "I have come that you might HAVE life" (present tense). That you might live the very best life possible... starting today. Not "I have come that you merely can escape hell at some point in the future," but that your life will be above the norm, that it will be transforming and the transformation will start right away. Christianity is not just about going to Heaven when you die!
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me HAS eternal life and is not condemned. (John 5:24)
The gospel is not merely a "get out of hell free card." This kind of misunderstanding can lead to disappointment in the Christian experience and even legalism and spiritual bondage. It is not just about standing before God some day, but about a lifelong walk influenced by the rule of Christ that culminates into an eternal reality from the day you receive Him into your life. Eternal life and the Kingdom of God are both a present reality.
I can't emphasize this point too strongly- your Christian life is not just an event or a destination- it is a lifelong journey that begins now and moves on into eternity. It is a present reality AND a future destination.
Consider how the wrong kind of thinking cheapens the Christian experience Christ intends for us. Jesus came proclaiming the "gospel," that is to say, the "good news." And what was that "good news"?
Read the following scriptures carefully:
"The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15 NIV)
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1 NIV)
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, {2} and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2 NIV)
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3 NIV)
Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:31 NIV)
It is clear that when Jesus talked about the gospel, he was talking about the Kingdom of God. What is the Kingdom of God? It is where the King reigns. It is BOTH a future and present reality as long as that rule is in place. It is that place that God reigns in my present reality as much as it is a description of heaven where God’s uninterrupted rule in my life will be a future reality. It is a right now/not yet tension between this present age and the age to come.
So, when Jesus talked about the "good news," He was not just talking a bridge to heaven as much as He was bringing us the message that God wants to put people on an awesome journey that will put us in touch with eternity, and that He has brought this to bear by saying in effect, "I have got good news for you and the good news is that the kingdom of God is available to you right now!"
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