Leading the life of victory is not impossible. It is a joy for all who pursue it. But it is impossible to lead the life of victory, the life that leads directly to the freedom and glory of the first resurrection, until we come out of the world, take up our cross of self-denial, and follow Christ with a pure heart.

Another good work we must pursue is that of not neglecting our salvation (Hebrews 2:3). In the industrialized nations, time is a problem. Many people are so busy! The danger here is that of neglecting our salvation—the sin of neglect.

Being a disciple of Jesus requires time. We must pray each day, meditate in the Scriptures, meet on a regular basis with fervent disciples as possible, give of our means, stir up the gifts the Spirit has given us, receive the benefit of the gifts of others, obey those who have the rule over us, assist in the work of the Gospel, and practice all the other duties and activities of the Christian life.

It is easy to neglect our salvation because there does not seem to be enough time in the day. If we are too busy to attend to the Lord as we should, we are too busy. Serving the Lord is more important than our trade or profession. Our first business in life is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

This is not to say we are to neglect our family or our other responsibilities. We must learn to work that we may support ourselves and our family and be able to help those in need.

In addition to carrying out our worldly responsibilities we must pray for time and strength to seek the Lord with a perfect heart. Those who neglect their salvation will be punished. They will not be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, of participation in the first resurrection. We must pray to God to give us the desire and opportunity to attend to the duties, such as prayer and Scripture reading, that are part of the normal Christian discipleship. Our job in the world is secondary in importance to these works of righteousness. Far better to take a secular job of less importance in order that enough attention may be given to one's discipleship.

Another work is that of abiding in Christ. We always must live, move, and have our being in Jesus. Each day of our discipleship the Lord moves back a step, as it were. To abide in Him that day requires an additional step of faith. He keeps moving, so we must enter ever further into the process of redemption in order to stay with Him. Abiding in Jesus never is a static experience.

Putting on immortality will be just one more small step for those who have been abiding faithfully in Jesus. But those who have not been abiding in Him each day will not be able to make the huge leap into eternal life that would be required of them.

To be continued.