Eternal Life – the Gift of God

Eternal life truly is a gift and no one can receive it unless they come to Jesus Christ. He has given us a great promise that if we live a faithful life and serve Him then we will live eternally in happiness and joy. Then the question arises, why is there so many people out there, even professed Christians, who are passing up the opportunity to be saved forever? The answer is quite simple. They don’t want to surrender their whole life to God. They prefer to hang on to the corrupt and evil heart, which they have. There are a few sins which they just love too much and would never be able to go without, in all the ages of eternity. So, for a few sins they sacrifice being eternally with Jesus and enjoying the presence of the angels and other created beings. Jesus has offered us a beautiful heart of flesh which He can shape and mould after his own likeness. Wouldn’t you like your heart to be shaped and moulded after the greatest being in the universe, the all-powerful God? Unfortunately most Christians do not feel that this heart of flesh that is offered is good enough for them and they choose to hold on to their heart of stone, refusing to allow God to change it.

The first step towards salvation is simply acknowledging that God is the only one who has immortality. ” Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16. It says here that no man can approach Him, we must go through Jesus Christ, our Mediator. People who say they are infallible or immortal particularly the pope, who supposedly has the key to heaven and hell, are simply fallen, mortal beings who will be judged in the day of judgement just like the rest of us.

Eternal life can only be given to man through Jesus Christ and it is put very simply for all to understand. ” And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11,12. It really is just that simple. If you have not asked God into your life to be your ruler and to guide you into ways of light then you do not have eternal life yet. He is knocking on the door of your heart and waiting for you to let him in. Do it right now if you haven’t already done so. Too many people believe that they can make their own decisions in life and don’t really need the Lord directing their paths. ” There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. This only leads to sin and destruction because they are letting their heart of stone, and human flesh, lead them wherever it wants. Satan rejoices when this happens and the angels and Jesus weep.

If our thoughts are not surrendered to Christ, then Satan can lead our thoughts wherever he wants. ” For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ” Proverbs 23:7. Sin begins in the thoughts. Before any crime is committed, often it has been a result of thought processes. Many terrible sins have been committed through hatred. We are given a warning of where hatred may lead us. ” Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15. And this has proven to be true in many places in the Bible, beginning with Cain and Abel.

Satan won’t be telling us to do missionary work, instead he will be sowing seeds of hate for our brother and we know that the next step after hate is killing our brother. It is for this reason that no wicked person can have eternal life because every idea that comes into their head is wicked and perverse and thoughts often lead to actions. If we ask the Lord to come on in He will change our thoughts so that all we ever want to do is good and kind things for others. Helping and supporting others will be the motto of our lives.

A great promise is given to us that Christ has abolished death and hath brought life and immortality. ” But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: “2 Timothy 1:10 Jesus came for the express purpose of giving His children life and happiness for all eternity. He doesn’t want any of us to die but He leaves it completely up to us because He is a God of love and would never force anyone. I pray that everyone here who reads this has accepted Jesus, the only one who can bring a person eternal life and happiness.

We are urged to seek for immortality and eternal life. ” Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6-7. Of course if we possessed it, we would not need to seek for it, but until we accept Jesus into our lives and surrender all the choices we make to Him we cannot have it. And then we have to continue holding on to Jesus with all our strength. It is essential to continually have Jesus in our lives. Paul said that he died daily to himself and his sinful lusts and we must do the same. The experience we had with God yesterday is not good enough for today, instead we must continually seek the Lord and surrender ourselves to Him.

” Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54 This is such a precious verse because it shows that if the righteous remain faithful until the second coming of Christ they are promised the gift of eternal life. And let me tell you when God promises us something it’s for real, we can rest in the assurance that if we have a personal walk with God and surrender ourselves and the choices we make to Him every single day, that we will be walking through those pearly gates some day. It is my wish and prayer that everyone of my brothers and sisters in the faith reach those pearly gates and we can all enjoy eternity together. AMEN.