Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Whatever Happened to Eternal Life?

In hope of eternal life, which God, That cannot lie, promised before the world began;   Titus 1:2

   When was the last time anyone spoke to you of eternal life?
   At one time it was the main focus of the Church and the heart of the Gospel. But now the Church has a new message, that, hey,  let's make life comfortable in the here & now. So now it's prosperity seminars, marriage conferences, Men's movements, and youth camps. Others seek to unlock prophecy and explain how today's headlines fulfill Scripture. Some focus only on this evil world system, and exposing all their evil deeds.
   Now I'm not saying these things aren't good or necessary (and of course each servant of Christ must minister the things God has called him to!), but why aren't we telling the world "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" ?
   We are told in the Gospel of Matthew that a fellow came to Jesus and asked, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"  It seems at one time the guy on the street was interested in obtaining eternal life; why not now? In our culture, there are several schools of thought on post-mortem existence. 
   Some believe there is no life past death, but once your brain shuts down for good, you're mind shuts down as well: there is only oblivion. Others hold to the notion that your soul or spirit dwells here on earth among your loved ones. Many believe in reincarnation, endless cycles of life and death. Finally there are those who suppose that all mankind, good or evil, ascend to heaven and are welcomed into the presence of God equally.
   But God, Who cannot lie, promised eternal life to those who believe in the foolishness of preaching; the preaching that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. If there is no life beyond the grave, then God lied. Or if everybody gets eternal life, then why did He promise it? Why promise me what's mine already?
   But the Bible makes it clear, that there is not only eternal life for some, but eternal death for many others, saying in Daniel, "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."  Now I've heard it said by many that "a loving God would never send anyone to Hell".  Well, neither would He force those who hate Him to hang around with Him forever.  And He certainly wouldn't force those who were all their lifetimes abused, exploited, oppressed, and tormented by the ungodly to spend the rest of eternity among them!
   It may not be fashionable these days to talk about Hell as a real place, but the spirits of those who lived wickedly will be condemned and punished. The prevailing theory or feeling in our culture now is that there are many paths to God.  Well, whatever path we take, we are all going to stand before His throne to be judged of Him. If ya wanna go there.
   But who thinks they're good enough? Do you??? I sure ain't! And no matter which path you trod, your feet are still too dirty to enter His presence.
   Hello! God, Who cannot lie, promised eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die."  (John 11:25-26)
   Remember the dude with the rainbow wig at the football games holding up a sign about JOHN 3:16? He made a fool of himself to get out this message of eternal life, that  God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
That's God's promise, and it's open to anybody and everybody, but not everyone will accept it. Will you?

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