The first aspect of resurrection to eternal life is the development of eternal life in the Christian personality. Eternal Life is God in Christ. Laying hold on eternal life is one of the main topics of the New Testament and is associated with the development of righteousness and holiness in our deeds, our words, and our thoughts.

There are three areas of attainment involved in the development of eternal life in the Christian personality. Eternal life is the full knowledge and possession of God in Christ.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (I John 5:20)

Three areas of attainment are as follows:

The doing of God's will.

The creation of Christ in us.

Life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The first area of attainment in the development of eternal life in the Christian is the doing of God's will in all areas of the Christian discipleship, whether ministry, conquest or the numerous deeds, words, and thoughts that go together to make up the fervent Christian walk.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (I John 2:17)

The emphasis is on God's will. There are many wills in the world. Which one is God's will? How can we be sure what we are doing really is God's will?

The nations continue in darkness. They have little light concerning what is pleasing to God. They stumble about in ignorance of the Person of God and His ways. Every person in the world desires the life, peace, and joy that come from doing God's will. But with so many voices counseling them each day, how can anyone know the right way?

The Word of God is God's light, God's will for His creatures, God's Law. The Word of God comes to us in two ways. The first is by the written Word, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The second is by the specific guidance and direction given us as the Holy Spirit reveals God's wisdom and plan for us as an individual.

There is general light on our pathway from the Scriptures, and specific light on our pathway from the Lord's leading given to us as an individual. There are instances in both the Old and New Testaments in which we find the saints of the Lord being directed into God's will by the Scriptures, and also by the direct leading of the Lord. The direct leading of the Lord is mentioned more frequently.

To be continued.