Life Everlasting

Dear Brethren,

As we study through the gospel of the beloved apostle, John, we are privileged to gain insight into the views and understandings of the early Church of God. The concept of "life everlasting," "eternal life," and "immortality," that we have heard so much about, was not as familiar to them as it is to us today. The true knowledge of salvation, eternal life, and the coming Kingdom of God was something new to them. We need to be very careful not to take this precious truth for granted.

There was a time when we believed the concept held by false religions, that we had an immortal soul that went to heaven or hell when we died. There is a big difference between the concept of immortality and that of the immortal soul. Only God has immortality, but He is making it available to His Children (1Timothy 6:16). "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." (2Timothy 1:10)

John, the apostle of love, wrote of the element that was lacking at the end of the first century in the Church as the first generation of converts were both fading away, and coming to spiritual maturity. By that time, the early Church brethren, like us, were rich in their understanding of doctrine and law which defined righteousness. God was giving them ample time to learn to apply agape love - that last full measure of Godly behavior toward each and every Christian.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another... If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." (1John 4:11-12) "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abides in death." (1John 3:14) "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother." (1John 3:10)

Brethren, judgment is on us right now - we are being measured. The question is not "what we know" as much as it is "who do we love" with a Godly love? To those of His people who literally did not find the time or opportunity to share their lives with others - even others who were hungry, thirsty, and needy - God will say, "Your type of love was too selective." "He shall answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." (Matthew 25:45)

Let's look at the parable of the rich man who half-heartedly wished to inherit life everlasting. He wanted to do just enough without giving it his all. Jesus knew that this man wished to hold on to his possessions more than he wanted eternal life in God's Kingdom. Eternal life exists only in the Kingdom of God. The rich man said:

"Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him... you know the commandments... And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:17-23)

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Sermon:  "Life Everlasting"    


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