An Ohio State University study recently concluded that religious people live an average of four years longer than atheists. The researchers theorized that the extra years were the result of abstinence from drugs and alcohol, the development of positive social connections with others of similar lifestyle, and increased volunteerism.
While the study is interesting from the perspective of divine providence in nature and the benefits of living a wholesome life, one fact was glaringly absent. Christians do not live just four years longer than atheists — they will in fact live infinitely longer than atheists! The Bible calls this eternal life and eternal life is promised only to the saved and never to the lost. At the end of one’s life, even four extra years is a lot of time (extra time spent with loved ones, settling one’s affairs, enjoying the blessings of life). However, four years is nothing when compared to eternity. Eternity is time without end.
Not only will atheists (on average) lose that four extra physical years, their rejection of God will cause them to also lose eternal life. Concerning atheism, John wrote in the book of Revelation, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). The apostle Paul said that Christ will return to the earth “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). In Matthew 25:46 Jesus said that the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous will go into everlasting life.
You may have noticed my transition in terminology from “religious people” to “Christians.” This was deliberate on my part. Many people are “religious” but do not fear and serve God. Peter said that God accepts those in every nation who fear Him and who keep His commandments (Acts 10:35). In Athens, Paul acknowledged that the pagan idolaters in his audience were “very religious” (Acts 17:22). He did not mean that they were conscientiously serving God, for they were idolaters (v. 23). He meant that they were devoted to some type of religious practice (a false one). There are many such “religious” people today (Muslims, Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, cultists, denominationalists…etc). Such groups are “religious” but follow false standards of religion (Quran, Book of Mormon, Catechism, Watchtower, human philosophies / creeds). A “Christian” is one who puts God first and serves Him according to His will (Matthew 6:33; 7:21). As seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 above, he knows God and obeys the gospel of Christ. This obedience includes faith, repentance, confession and baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10).
From a purely secular and physical perspective, one might reason that four extra years might be worth sacrificing for a life of sinful pleasure. However, what about years without end? Is a life of sin worth sacrificing that? I will leave you with Moses’ reasoning on this matter: “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).
—Tim Haile