“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts. . .” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).

There is a burden every soul must bear. It is the burden of eternity. It is a very weighty matter that many refuse to confront; but it cannot be ignored forever. Unfortunately, many wait until it is too late; then must face the consequences.

Jesus addressed the “weightier matters” with the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew’s Gospel. Specifically, He named some of them as “Judgment, Mercy and Faith” (cf. Matthew 23:23). That is a good place to start.

Eternal Judgment: In the economy of God things are not temporary, but eternal. In our economy we deal in time. Time always comes to an end. Judgment for a crime carries a sentence for a time. When the time of the sentence is served the judgment ends. In the economy of God in eternity the judgment never ends; it is eternal. Now, that is heavy. That carries some weight. That should get everyone’s attention and sober the mind. Unfortunately, it does not. Hopefully, it does yours.

Mercy: Along with God being a Just Judge, He is also merciful. “Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever” (I Chronicles 16:34). King David declared: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever” (Psalms 23:6). God is good. God is love. God is merciful. God is Just. Four attributes of God that change not. Goodness, Love and Mercy cannot, however, override Justice; otherwise, Justice does not exist. But God can be Just, Good, Loving and Merciful when He finds Faith.

Faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God; for everyone that comes to God must believe that His is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith has been given to everyone; but some people discard it, counting it as nothing, when it is a very weighty thing, indeed. It is only by faith that we can be saved. It does not get any heavier than that. It is the one requirement by which we must live, “The just shall live by faith” (Habakuk 2:4; Romans 1:7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

We are talking about the weight of eternity; so, things do not get any weightier for us to consider, ponder, and upon which to meditate. Eternity is in your heart. Do not ignore it; for you do so at your own peril. Deal with it. The big question is, where will you spend eternity? How is it with your soul?

The Soul: Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). There is only one thing you will take into eternity, your soul. Your soul, more valuable than anything in the universe. It is the foolish man who seeks riches, power, possessions, position; yet neglects his own soul. How is it with your soul? Are you ready for eternity? That question should weigh very heavy upon our hearts and minds. Can you feel the weight of eternity? Together, let us deal with the weightier matters. Let us get serious. Heaven depends on it.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

________________________________________