OWC 2026 Devotional | Week 2, Day 3

GOD, WHAT DO YOU PROMISE ME? | GOD PROMISES US ETERNAL LIFE

The Promise of Eternal Life may be the first promise we learn of as Christians. This Promise answers one of the questions every person will ask: “What happens to me after I die?”  I became a Christian at six years old, and once I learned that being a Christian means I get to go to heaven, I accepted that truth and didn’t give it much more thought. As life unfolded, I have found myself returning to this promise more. I think this is not only about what will happen to me when I die, but what will happen to those I love when they die. Many people I love have accepted Jesus and will live with Him in eternity. I find myself as thankful for their eternal security as I am for mine. However, I also have people in my life I love very much who have not accepted Jesus. This breaks my heart and keeps me praying desperately for them.  

It might be tempting to wish there wasn’t a promise about eternal life, and that eternal life in Heaven was available through many ways so that I could present more options to people. However, I’m so thankful the Lord knows we need the most important question we’ll ask on earth to be set in a Promise; that’s not up for discussion. I’m so thankful the question of where we go when we die is settled. It’s clear, consistent, and too important to be case-by-case.  

Read John 10:22-30 

The group that Jesus is speaking to in this passage has already had the answer on eternal life revealed to them. They keep hoping He’ll change the answer, so they ask again, asserting that He’s not answering instead of admitting they’re not listening. Jesus gives the same answer every time: He is the only way to Eternal Life. The group in this passage wanted desperately to earn their way to heaven through rituals, rules, and sacrifices. They wanted a prescription to follow, not a Promise to believe in. I’m so thankful God did not allow humans to determine the path to Eternal Life. He chose the hardest way, the death of His Son, so that He could promise that the answer was settled and could never be changed.  

This promise doesn’t just affect our life after earth, but it should have a great impact on our life on earth. This promise has brought the peace that surpasses all understanding in life’s darkest moments.  

Whenever this promise was first revealed to you, I pray that its grace and goodness are continually revealed to you to this day.  

• What have you believed about God’s Promise of Eternal Life? 

• What is God revealing to you about His Promise of Eternal Life?