16 July, 2024

Immortality

by | 1 February, 2021 | 0 comments

By Randy Ballinger

Striving for immortality sometimes results in strange ideas.       

As an example, “transhumanism” is a philosophical movement that advocates using technology to modify and enhance the human condition, expand human capacities, and extend human life. To its proponents, the desired end is immortality, potentially outside the human body, as one’s intellect is transferred from the biological brain to a computer.

Immortality is possible, but not by means of artificial engineering or far-fetched faith in technology based on human ego. Instead, it is all about Jesus dying in our place so that we may live forever.

The Lord’s table is proof of our immortality. It reminds us that true and eternal life comes through death—death to self and death to sin. And that is possible only through Jesus Christ’s work (and not anything you or I have done). Jesus’ work on our behalf included death on a cross. His death was not quick and painless; it included not only physical torture, but also separation from his heavenly Father, to pay the penalty for our sins.

The apostle Paul encouraged us, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21, emphasis mine).

So, then, Jesus is the only source of immortality . . . and his technology is perfect!

Randy Ballinger lives with his wife, Gina Ann, near New Paris, Ohio. He is an elder with the Centerville (Indiana) Christian Church.

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