Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Follow the editor's itinerary while he is in the U.S. Invite him to your area. http://GoSpeak.org Get his new book - CHOOSE! - autographed! http://forthrightpress.com COLUMN: FINAL PHASE The Impulse to Live by J. Randal Matheny, editor The impulse to live runs deep in man. Suicide is considered unnatural. At some level, war may be considered as an effort to survive and thrive. Youth is glorified, because old age is seen as one step away from death. To live for the moment, to wage war, to preserve youth, all gain momentum when the eternal perspective is lost. For man clings to whatever life he has. The impulse runs deep. Early on, man looked beyond death to another life. The ancient Egyptians attest to preparing in this life for the next. Humankind wants to keep on living. This is the cry of one who sees his days "coming to an end" (Psalm 102:11 NET). The psalmist appeals to God to prolong his life because God is eternal. "O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life! You endure through all generations" (Psalm 102:24). If God is eternal, he is the source of life and one to whom we may turn to ask for life. "But you remain; your years do not come to an end" (v. 27). So for this reason Peter, with all true and faithful followers, will not abandon Christ, because he has "the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). The essence of eternal life is knowing God and his Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3). God gave up his Son to the Cross in order that he might give eternal life to those who believe (John 3:14-16). To possess it, obedience to God is essential for "his commandment is eternal life" (John 12:50). The impulse to live runs deep, for God "has put eternity into man's heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV). Look into your heart and feel its throb for life. Then look to God and ask for eternity. Live! -- To comment on this article, don't reply to this email. Rather, go here and insert your comment in the box below the article: http://www.forthright.net/final_phase/the_impulse_to_live.html You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html