Lay hold on eternal life

What are you holding on to?

Life here on earth can get pretty crazy.  GOD urges us through HIS Word to lay hold on eternal life.

“lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called” (1 Timothy 6:12).

That verse tells us that GOD calls us to eternal life.  Once we get eternal life we are to we grab on and hold tight to eternal life.  But what does that mean?  Is there more to eternal life than living forever?

“And this is life eternal, that they might know YOU the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom YOU (GOD the FATHER) sent (John 17:3).

Eternal life is to know GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

But how can you tell if you are called?

“called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

1 Corinthians 1:2 explains that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (Romans 10:13) is called.

Our calling on the name of the LORD JESUS proves that we are the called and saved from the wrath of GOD on sin since JESUS paid for our sin and we accepted that payment by calling on HIS name.

1 Thessalonians 1:⁹ (those who) “turned to GOD from idols to serve the living and true GOD; ¹⁰ And to wait for HIS SON (JESUS) from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, even JESUS, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

But Matthew 22:14 says not all that are called get eternal life.   How do we get eternal life for since we are told to lay hold of eternal life, we are to do something.

“whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15) 

So, we get eternal life when we believe In JESUS, whom GOD sent (John 3:16) and call on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) thus proving we are the called.

We gain eternal life by believing in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Whoever believes that JESUS is LORD and that GOD raised HIM from the dead is saved (Romans 19:9-10,13), saved from the wrath of GOD on sin. At that moment he is born into GOD’s family (John 1:12-13) and is given the HOLY SPIRIT to live within him (John 7:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-2:1). 

HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) comforts us, teaches us, leads us and reveals GOD’s nature to us by convicting us when we do wrong and explaining GOD’s Word to us who believe in JESUS (1 Corinthians 2:10, Philippians 2:13).  As we understand and obey the words of GOD, we increasingly step by step are ready to learn more about JESUS and GOD the FATHER. 

Then as we use what the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us, through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT we are changed into the likeness of our LORD JESUS little by little and actually partake in more and more of the divine nature (2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Peter 1:1-4). 

We believers in JESUS will never be gods, but when we see JESUS we will be like HIM (in nature) for we shall see HIM as HE is (I John 3:1-2). We who have this hope within us need to purify ourselves (with the help of GOD Hebrews 4:16) even as HE, our LORD and Savior is pure (1 John 3:3).

Since eternal life is to know GOD and JESUS CHRIST whom HE sent (John 17:3), then to hold on to eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12) is to hold on to what we know of GOD and JESUS CHRIST by living in a like manner through the power of GOD the HOLY SPIRIT.

Have you laid hold on eternal life?

If so, “Know the GOD of all grace (unmerited favor), who has called us unto HIS eternal glory by JESUS CHRIST, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Hugs

Sharon

Changes us

It is no secret that we are influenced by those we spend time with.  So, who we spend time with can develop our character for good or for bad. 

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD, and of JESUS our LORD” 2 Peter 1:2).

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV).

This morning doing my homework for the class I am facilitating today took me once again to 1 Timothy 6:19 ^“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”  

What!

Being the context of 1 Timothy 6:19 is giving material things as the means to obtain something, we must look deeper for the meaning of the phrase describing what they will get.  That phrase is ‘that they may lay hold on eternal life.  Since know that there is only one way to secure eternal life we can be confident giving material things is NOT that way.

^“For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS ONLY begotten SON (JESUS), that whosoever believeth in HIM (JESUS) should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “He that believeth on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him” (John 3:36).

So, what could possibly by implied by stating that one could lay hold on eternal life by giving good things?

The way JESUS defined eternal life in John 17:3 I believe gives us a clue to the answer. “And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW YOU the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom YOU have sent.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that as we see more and more about JESUS we are changed to be like HIM through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

2 Peter 1:1-4 states that as we get to KNOW GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST more and more through HIS word and through seeing HIM act in our and other people’s lives we get more and more graces.  Then when we use/ act on what we know about GOD, as we claim the promises in the Word of GOD we can begin to participate in the divine nature.  Now that does NOT say we become gods but that many of the amazing qualities/ virtues we see in GOD (things like love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, long-suffering patience and self-control) begin to flow through us by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT (John 7:38-39).

Another quality of GOD is generosity (James 1:17) and that is the very thing giving gifts to the needy is.  So when we delight to give good things to those in need, we are acting like our Heavenly FATHER and have taken a hold of  eternal life (what it means to know GOD).

That truth makes me desire to spend time with and get know JESUS, who is the exact representation of GOD the FATHER (Hebrews 12:1-2) better and better by reading HIS word.  How about you?

Hugs

Sharon

It’s all in who you know

With that crazy June snow and then all the rain the grass really grew tall fast. I was amazed the grass across the street at the park was literally over a foot high before they finally mowed it.

Sometimes knowing the right person will open doors for you that otherwise are slammed shut.

My great grandson Riley, 14, decided he wanted a part time job this summer and got a job mowing this lady’s lawn.  Well, her son had a mowing business but now was old enough and got a job with the city.  So, the lady seeing Riley as proactive and a diligent worker referred all her son’s clients to him.  Now Riley has a thriving part time business that allows him freedom to enjoy his summer too along with an income.

We find that WHO we know opens doors for us with GOD.

Jesus said, “… Because I go to the FATHER (GOD)” (John 16:17)  ^“And in that day you shall ask ME nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever, you shall ask the FATHER (GOD) in MY name (according to MY nature), HE will give it you (John 16:23).

 Wherefore HE (JESUS) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM…(Hebrews 7:25).

“For there is one GOD, and one mediator between GOD and men, the man CHRIST JESUS” (1 Timothy 2:5).

There is only one way to GOD.

He that believes on the SON (JESUS) has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides (stays) on him (John 3:36).

(nothing) “Not height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD (Romans 8:39).

WHY is that?  GOD is holy and cannot tolerate sin in any shape or form.  But HE is also love so HE wanted us in fellowship with HIM.  Therefore GOD provided a way to cleanse mankind from sin.  JESUS came and died to bear our sin for us.  But only the ones who accept that payment by calling on the name of the LORD JESUS (Romans 10:9-10, 13) have had their sins forgiven, washed away by JESUS blood.

Without the suffering of JESUS CHRIST, man could not be reconciled to GOD. Without the death of JESUS CHRIST man could not be reconciled to GOD. Without the resurrection from the dead of JESUS CHRIST on the third day, man could not be reconciled to GOD.

But we see “… that GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us (who believe in JESUS) the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

We also need to remember that without the giving of the Law, man would not recognize that he is a sinner and in need of forgiveness.

“Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh (person) will be justified in HIS (GOD’s) sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).

Have you called on the name of the LORD so that you are forgiven?  If so, you have the right and privilege to ask the sovereign LORD GOD ALMIGHTY-GOD the FATHER for things in the name of JESUS and they will be given to you.

Hugs

Sharon