How to Live Forever

One day you will die. 

To have life after death you must believe in Jesus.

To believe in Jesus is to follow Him. 

1 John 2:1 - 6 (Bible: New Testament)

1. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 
2. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
3. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 
4. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 
5. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 
6. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

He is able

 Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

For we are God's handiwork

Think upon that.  The creator of the universe.  We are in awe of creation another handiwork of God.

It is not that we are worthy of awe, but that we can be certain that he is able.  

2 Timothy 1:12

12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

 

1. I know not why God's wondrous grace
to me he hath made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.

Refrain:
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.

2. I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his word
wrought peace within my heart.
(Refrain)

3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing us of sin,
revealing Jesus through the word,
creating faith in him.
(Refrain)

4. I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noonday fair,
nor if I walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air.
(Refrain)  

by Daniel W. Whittle

At home in the body

 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Often the truth is represented in a contradiction, here it is too.  How does someone judge faith? Yet it says there will be a judgement.  The Christian life is to live as though you are going to be judged, but you are not.  To the unbeliever it may seem that our life appears to be restrained and our desires mitigated, as though we were going to be caught being bad.  However, to the believer our orientation is not focused on what we desire or what we see, but on faith, our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

This is the power of Christ in a Christian's life while they are in the body.  Free from sin and a slave to righteousness.  

"My yoke is easy, my burden is light." ~ Jesus - Matthew 11:30

Without Christ our life is hard and the consequences of our behavior weighs heavy upon us.  

However this power is not a presto-change from one day to the next, trapped in sin and to powerful holy living unfazed by the troubles of this world.     

Earlier the writer makes clear in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We are being transformed to be like Jesus' glory when we contemplate, reflect upon, meditate over the glory of Jesus Christ.  His glory in part described in scripture captured by his apostles, co-mingled with our thoughts in prayer, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit that indwells the saints.  

Brothers and Sisters focus on Christ's glory, that is, his wisdom, his compassion, his love, his sacrifice, his meekness, his selflessness, Creator, Alpha and Omega, the Lamb of God. 

Victorious Living

 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25

24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

This comes after the chapter of Love, the greatest spiritual gift.  We must consider that it is better for people to first know that they are sinners, before they know they are loved.  How a church contrives this, it must follow the prompting of scripture and the Holy Spirit. 

Seeking the gift of prophecy is the most loving gift.  It edifies the church and it convinces the unbeliever that he is a sinner.  Speaking in tongues does not do this. Do not mistake your perception that scripture is affirming your sentiment, to therefore determine a methodology of church practice. 

If we are seeking a relationship with God, we will experience an every increasing dynamic of love in our life, imbuing our thoughts and actions.  We will become more conscientious of the things that cause us to sin and what supports our desire to please God.

In the church we will reflect this struggle of love for God, love for one another. Through scripture the stumbling blocks of sin is exposed and the victorious life is experienced.  

Victorious living is a life exalted in a closer relationship with God, its joy is found through good deeds, sacrifice, and keeping oneself unspotted from the world.  This is not for our self, but because we know we are loved by God, we love our neighbor, and we love God. To be this way is to be like Christ, the perfect union of God and man. 

Time is short

 1 Corinthians 7:29

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short....

Paul told the Corinthians around 55 A.D. that time was short and yet the world goes on today almost 2000 years later. 

It could be said as Peter did.  

2 Peter 3:8 

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

I heard preachers say, the second coming for each of us comes at our death, which is short enough. 

However, I tend to think that Paul was not playing word games or superimposing a divine perspective. I think, he felt and understood that - time is short -  as any of us would feel the pressure of immediacy, when time is short.  

Before Jesus Christ, there was a sense that the direction of humanity was not complete, a mystery still surrounded the purpose of existence and how mankind would be reconciled to God.  Does a trip seem longer when the end is arbitrary or when you know the destination point? 

Time is short, because there is the divine perspective. Time is short, because the only time we have is while we live in this world.

Even more, time is short because Jesus on the cross said it is finished (John 19:29, 30).  How Man would be reconciled to God was revealed. The purpose of Man was completely made clear. 

When you are waiting in line at an amusement park ride, you are there to enjoy the ride.  You are not there to wait in lines.  For some we don't even go to amusement parks because of the lines.  If we are waiting in lines and it is taking a long time we will often engage in activities to pass the time, be on our phone, play games, eat food, or even take a nap.  When it final comes to our turn to step up to the ride we make ourselves ready to go.  

Since Christ, the ride is the waiting, the Kingdom of God, is now. 

22-04-15

 Luke 10:18-20

18 He [Jesus] replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The greatest display of supernatural power we can enjoy is eternal life.

22-04-13

 Luke 6:35, 36

35 But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

If you are alive today, God has been merciful.  Praise the Father for his many mercies!

22-03-16

 1 Corinthians 12-13

To desire spiritual gifts is good, if we are seeking it through Christ Jesus.   However, a gift or a calling is not meant to be a status or means to create separation in the body of Christ, but a service.   If you find yourself having no gifts do not fret.  For every believer belongs the greatest gift and calling. The gift of love.  The vocation of love.  The love of Christ.  The take up your cross and follow me, kind of love.  

There are moments when the Christian calling is sensational.  Sensations can rule the heart and not Christ.  There is no doubt that there are times that we must be counted as Christians.

But there are times that a cent is worth more than gold, a prayer in secret rings the loudest in God's ear, and the greatest expression of service for Jesus goes unnoticed.  

There are billions in the world, the seemingly vain masses.  

obscured - uneducated - powerless

However in Jesus Christ they can have the greatest gift. 

22-02-16

 Read Matthew 13

The parable of the sower.  The path, the rocky soil, the soil with thorns, and the good soil.  Are we this soil?  It seems that things just are. Faith can change reality. God gives faith, from where it comes I don't know.  There is a moment, that someone can say God help my unbelief. From where that comes from I don't know.  

Jesus, I don't understand, Give me understand?

Jesus, following you is hard, Give me the strength today to follow?

Jesus, I'm too busy with my life, Give me peace? 

I can't argue why things are, but extend that faith in Christ Jesus can change it. Some don't have faith in Jesus, I can't explain why or justify the cause and effect of place and time.  All that I can do is pray and trust God that he is just. 

22-02-15

 Read Matthew 10-12.  Jesus sends out the twelve apostles.  I wonder what Judas Iscariot did, when he went out.  Did he perform miraculous signs? Did he sit back while his partner did all the work?

Jesus announcing the gospel in proclamation, miracles, and sending out his disciples.  The forever unbelievers could not see what He was doing or hear what He was saying.  If they wouldn't believe with Christ's testimony, how can they be convinced. 

The value of the gospel is not obvious to the world. Relationship with Jesus is not a natural one.  Who is Jesus's brothers and mother.  To me it is a mystery, but it is the power of God.  

I looked at a picture of me and my kids, the one before my last child was born.  In my lap, everyone smiling.  Did I impart anything good? My struggle, my ignorance, my foolishness I shared with them.  We were smiling.  My hope is that it was worthwhile or that it will be.  

I don't hope in myself as though I did something - I'm a fool.  It's a mystery and I can't wait to see.