SEEK ETERNAL LIFE , NOT JUST LIFE.
There’s difference between “life” and “eternal life”.
All creatures have got life in them,e.g, animals,birds,plants and human beings.Yet not all of them have eternal life.
Eternal life is something else,which a person must seek and find;lest they end up living just the ordinary life here on earth.A life that is simply for a while and won’t last forever.Every one who does not have eternal life within them will not be raised from death at the last day to a life that is for ever.They will be cast into the lake fire which is not quenched.
Eternal life,also known as “abundant life” is found in no one else but Jesus Christ.It is a special life inside that begins now and lasts forever.
John 10:10;
“The thief cometh not,but for to steal and to kill,and to destroy:but I am come that they may have life,and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Jesus came that we may have life,that is,have good health,and experience the wonderful qualities of life in the flesh.But most importantly,he came that we may have life more abundantly (eternal life).
Now the question is, how can we receive eternal life?
Many people tend to think that having good morals, religion and commandment-keeping are what consist in getting everlasting life.But they do not know that unless a person denies oneself fully and decides to follow Jesus, these three are but meaningless.Moral character, commandment-keeping together with a good religion do not guarantee one eternal life.
Let’s read the following passage:
Matthew 19:16-21;
“And, behold, the young came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing should I do,that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him,Why calledt thou me good?there is none good but one,that is,God:but if thou wilt enter into life,keep the commandments.
He saith unto him,Which?Jesus said,Thou shalt do no murder,Thou shalt not commit adultery,Thou shalt not steal,Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honour thy father and thy mother: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The young man saith unto him:All these things I have kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him,If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
Consider the questions this man asked and the answers Jesus gave in response.First, the man asked Jesus what he needed to do for him to get eternal life.Jesus answered him saying that he should first keep the commandments,if he wanted to enter into life.(Note that the Lord meant the ordinary life and not eternal life.)He implied that keeping the Ten Commandments does not assure one of getting everlasting life,but rather it gives them long life in the present world, according to:
Leviticus 18:5;
“Ye shall therefore keep my statutes,and my judgments:which if a man do,he shall live in them:I am the Lord.”
The man also enquired to know what he still lacked given he had kept all the commandments.When Jesus saw that he needed eternal life and not just the life here and now,he told him to go and sell all his possessions and then to follow him.That is,he had to deny himself,all he had,bear his own cross and follow Jesus.
But the man was saddened by the words of the Lord.Because he desired to get the ordinary life, rather than eternal life.Thus,he left having “life” yes,but he had lost something more important – Everlasting life.
To every one reading this message,the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).The same words he told this man:to go and sell all that he had and then to follow him are also addressed to all of us.The Lord told his disciples these words:
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,he cannot be my disciple.”
Forsaking means to detach oneself from whatever that might keep you from doing God’s will.It may mean relegating something we deem to be important to the background or giving it up.Be it a friend, family, wealth,job,etc.Whatever distracts us from Jesus has to go.
This is a very important principle we all need to know.It costs everything, even one’s life to enter into life.This calls for us to die to self fully and to bear our cross daily, and following Christ.
Reading on through the next verses,we see the benefits of taking the cross and serving Christ in self-denial.
Matthew 19:22-29;
“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you,It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it,they were exceedingly amazed, saying,Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them,and said unto them,With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold,we have forsaken all,and followed thee:what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you,That which have followed me,in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory,ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses;or brethren or sisters,or father, or mother,or wife,or children,or lands,for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Have you denied yourself fully and followed Jesus?Or do you still pin your hopes onto your religion? Remember this man we’ve read about had a good religious background, and had kept all the commandments.But all he could get was the good things in this life, whereas missed everlasting life.Therefore do not be deceived that by having a good denomination will give you a life which lasts for ever.
Good morals will bring you blessings only in this life.Unless you have Christ reigning within, you have no eternal life.
If any one desires to have everlasting life,then you must lay aside your denomination,game, wealth and everything else that would distract you from following Jesus wholeheartedly.Humbly go before the Lord like a newborn child who knows nothing.Like a sheep ready to be tended.For the Lord delights in a lowly and humble spirit.
Are you born again?If not yet,then don’t let this day pass by before you give your life to Jesus.For you do not know what tomorrow secures.Look for a Christian who will pray with you, inviting the Lord Jesus into your life.Or you may as well talk to us about it and we shall help you.
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God bless you.
Maran atha!