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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Laying Hold on Eternal Life, continued
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
It is the power of eternal life in us that breaks the chains of sinful behavior.
Eternal life is associated with sincere repentance. When we receive Christ we are to resolutely turn from our wicked ways and begin to serve the Lord Jesus.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18)
Is there a way that leads to eternal life or is eternal life a one-time experience given to us when we receive Christ?
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Eternal life is not a ticket that is handed to us when we receive Christ. Rather, it is a way—the way of righteousness, the way of life, the way of faith. The righteous live by faith. That is how they live! Jesus is the Way, and the gateway to eternal life is narrow and the way is filled with difficulties.
We are resisted by the forces of death and darkness throughout our entire pursuit of Christ. The fallen angels and demons dwell in eternal death and darkness and they desire we be there with them.
Notice that there is a "way of righteousness," which is the way of eternal life.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (II Peter 2:21)
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. (Acts 2:28)
If we would understand the Gospel of the Kingdom of God we must grasp the fact that the goal of salvation is not eternal residence in the spirit Paradise. There is a spirit Paradise and the righteous will dwell there. But, in spite of our traditions to the contrary, the goal of salvation is not eternal residence in Heaven.
The goal of salvation is to be filled with eternal life. When the Apostles preached in the Book of Acts they preached the Kingdom of God and eternal life.
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15)
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life [all that God is saying concerning eternal life]. (Acts 5:20)
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46)
No mention is made of going to Heaven to live forever. The goal always is presented as eternal life. The Lord Jesus came that we might have eternal life. If the reader can accept this change he will discover that the entire Bible makes a great deal more sense. Also he will begin to focus on fighting the good fight of faith and attaining eternal life now instead of waiting to die and go to Heaven.
To be continued.