Today and forever, those who choose to sin against God will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

Through Christ, God has given us the opportunity to throw off the chains of sin and death. If we will do this diligently we will save ourselves and those who hear us—save ourselves in the sense of gaining release from Satan and entering union with Christ, who is eternal Life.

If we neglect the redeeming authority and power that are in Christ we will continue to sow death. We and those whom we influence surely will die. We will not attain the life the Lord Jesus will bring with Him. Rather, we will stand before Jesus and be judged in that day. Whether or not we then are permitted to live on the earth in the new age will be decided by the Lord Jesus. It is He whom God has appointed to judge the world.

It is one matter to call Jesus, "Lord!" It is quite another matter to do what He says. It is in the doing what He says, in the keeping of His Word, that we save ourselves.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (I Timothy 4:16)

The truth of Jesus, if obeyed, sets us free from sin and death. If we are willing and obedient we will eat of the good of the land. If we refuse and rebel we never will experience the goodness of the Lord.

At the time of the writing of the Book of Philippians, Paul counted that he had not as yet attained the out-resurrection—the resurrection that is in advance of the general Day of Resurrection. To attain the out-resurrection is, as we have said before, to escape the possibility of being harmed by the second death, because there no longer is in us any element over which the second death retains authority.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ. (Philippians 3:12)

In his final epistle Paul speaks as though his discipleship had attained its goal:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (II Timothy 4:7,8)

"There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."

Paul now refers to his "mark" as the "crown of righteousness." To the overcomer of Smyrna is given the "crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

Is there any difference between the crown of righteousness and the crown of life? Probably not. Throughout the Scriptures, righteousness and life go together just as sin and death always go together.

Perhaps the greatest heresy of all time pervades the churches of our day. This heresy is the doctrine that man can inherit eternal life apart from godly behavior, that man can have fellowship with God and continue in unrighteousness, uncleanness, and disobedience.

The Lord Jesus did not come to hand immortality to us without any change of behavior on our part. Rather, our Redeemer came so that through Him we can attain salvation, we can overcome the presence and ways of Satan and enter the Presence and ways of God.

It eternally is true that the soul that sins shall die. This law never shall change in the slightest degree. Heaven and earth as we know them will pass away but God's Word never shall pass away.

Through the Lord Jesus Christ we have been given the opportunity to turn away from sin and enter righteousness, holiness, and obedience to God. As we do so, as we put on the Person and ways of Christ, we attain the resurrection from the dead.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things [foolish and hurtful lusts]; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:11,12) (from Philippians 3:11)