Truth Magazine

By Kevin Campbell

What lies beyond the portals of death is a matter that everyone considers at one time or another. Is there life after death? If so, of what does it consist and who will obtain it? The questions and speculations run rampant upon the subject but the answers can only be found in the truth of God’s word. Seers, psychics, and false religions only add to the confusion and obscure the truth. I am firmly convinced that Christians need a good dose of confidence in their eternal state as a guard against falling and as a prod to greater service and faithfulness. John refers to the purification of the child of God that can occur as a result of the hope of life eternal (1 Jn. 3:3). When our confidence is strong, we can anticipate and prevent pitfalls that might lead us away from our hope (Col. 1:23).

Definition

Before proceeding further, we need a good understanding of what we mean by eternal life. The Bible teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will be conscious after the Judgment Day but only the righteous are referred to as receiving “eternal life” (Rom. 2:5-9). To some, at first, this is puzzling. Why is it, if everyone will have an eternal existence after death, that only one portion are spoken of as gaining eternal life? First of all, eternal life refers to more than just an eternal existence after death. The key lies in understanding what is meant by “life.” “Life” refers to the state and relationship that a child of God will enjoy with his Creator during his eternal existence. To illustrate further, let’s examine several passages that will aid us in understanding this concept. In 1 Timothy 5:6, Paul says, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” Here we have a person who, though alive physically and having a conscious existence, is spoken of as being dead. How? Paul explains in Ephesians 2 that the Ephesians had been “dead in trespasses and sins” but that “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (vv. 1,4-5). They had been dead in sins but had been “quickened,” or made alive, through the blood of Christ.

The significant thing is that while a person has a conscious, physical existence or life, he can still be spoke of as being dead in sin. Death, spiritually, is separation from God according to Isaiah 59:1-2 and Romans 6:23. The opposite of spiritual death is spiritual life. If spiritual death is separation from God, spiritual life is union with God. So, only those who are in union with the Lord are spoken of as being alive or having life. Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (Jn. 17:3). Eternal life then, refers to the union and relationship that we will enjoy with our God eternally when this life on earth is over.

A Gift

Our next consideration is that eternal life is a gift given by God. Notice these passages: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

Eternal life has been offered by our God to all mankind because of his great love and mercy. It has not been offered due to mankind’s deservings or on the basis of any good thing that we have done. This is what is meant by Paul’s statement that we are saved by grace (or favor) and not by our own works or deservings. In other words, God did not decide at a particular point in time, that man had behaved well enough to enter into life eternal.

As children of God, we need to dwell long and hard on this point. We have not done anything to deserve this gift. Being baptized does not earn our way into life eternal. Being a good parent, a good employee, a good Samaritan or just being “good” does not qualify or earn one’s eternal life. It is God’s gift that he has offered for no other reason than his love and mercy for us. Our appreciation of this truth needs to be expressed by demonstrating our thankfulness in a life that is governed completely by his will. Paul stated that God’s grace (favor, mercy) teaches us that “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11-12).

One final point regarding eternal life being God’s gift is this: it is given on a conditional basis. Some recoil at this but it is the truth of God’s word nonetheless. Notice that Paul said that we are saved “by grace through faith” (Eph , 2:8). God’s decision to offer eternal life was not conditional. He offered it only because of his grace and mercy. On the other hand, its reception is conditional. It is received “through faith.” Our Lord will not force any one to accept his offer and will only give it to those who, through faith, accept and obey his conditions. The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9).

Present Possession or Future Hope?

This brings us to our final consideration. When one has obeyed the Lord’s plan of salvation in becoming a Christian, does he at that time come into actual, present possession of eternal life or does he possess it only in hope and in promise? In other words, is eternal life fully possessed now in this life or is it not fully possessed until the life hereafter? This is an important issue in the question of apostasy since there are those who argue that eternal life ‘ fully possessed in this life, cannot be taken away no matter how a child of God lives.

First of all, the Bible does speak of the believer possessing eternal life now. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Jn. 5:24); “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (Jn. 6:47). The question then is not does a child of God now possess eternal life but how does he possess it? In full present possession or in future hope and promise? If he possesses it fully and completely, then he cannot possess it in hope or hope for it since he already has it. Paul states in Romans 8:24-25, “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. ” Something that is fully and completely possessed is not something that can be hoped for since hope involves the expectation of a future reception.

How then does the Bible refer to a Christian’s possession of eternal life? As full and present or as a future hope? Notice these verses of Scripture:

(1) Paul wrote to Titus “in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot life, promised before the world began” (Tit. 1:2). Also, that “we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (3:7).

(2) John wrote, “And this is the promise which he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 Jn. 2:25).

Notice that these passages speak of eternal life as a hope and a promise and not as a full possession.

Not only do the above passages identify eternal life as a future hope and promise, there are numerous others which clearly state that it has yet to be given. Take a look at these verses:

(1) Romans 2:5-11. Here Paul states that at the judgment day, God “will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” Consider that it is at the judgment when God will give eternal life to those who have sought for glory, honor, and immortality.

(2) Galatians 6:8-9. Paul states, “For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting” (v. 8). Now notice, what will he who sows to the spirit reap? Life everlasting. When will he reap it? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (v. 9). Life everlasting is to be reaped in due season, if we faint not!

(3) 1 Timothy 6:12,19. Paul instructs Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called” and told him to tell the saints “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Remember that they were to lay hold on eternal life and therefore had not come into actual possession of it yet. (Read these other verses as well: Matt. 25:46; Mk. 10:30; Rom. 6:22.)

Conclusion

In closing please read 1 John 5:11-13. Consider these points: (1) God has given us eternal life. (2) That life is in his Son Jesus Christ. (3) In order to obtain that life, we must have the Son in us and we must be in Him. “He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God had not life” (5:12). The application is if we are not in the Son of God, we must obey him that we might have the promise and hope of life everlasting. The Bible tells us that we enter the Son through belief and being baptized (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27).

If you are a child of God and “in Christ,” is Christ in you? You need to “walk in the light as he is in the light.” John clearly states that the only way to know that we are in the Son, and therefore in the hope of eternal life, is to love the Lord and keep his commandments (1 Jn. 2:3-5; 4:7). Then as God’s children, let us allow that hope and promise to be the anchor of our soul, to encourage us to greater service and to comfort us in the time of distress and trial.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 619-620
October 17, 1991

By R.J. Stevens

A few years, ago one of our sons said, “You and mother need to go to the Bahamas or Hawaii to rest up.” Our response was when we get to go home to Kemp, Texas, that is our trip to the Bahamas. When you are away from home nearly thirty-five weeks out of the year, the remaining seventeen at home are very special.

However, when I think about home and reflect upon my experiences as a member of my earthly father’s home and a member of my own home today, the where we lived didn’t amount to very much and still doesn’t. The who we were with is what made home so grand. Being with daddy, mother, my brothers and sister is what made our home. We laughed, cried, sang, went to worship together and shared with each other. It wasn’t where we were living but it was who we were living with and how we were living that made it home. In 1947 my wife and I established our own home or family. As I look back, home was wherever my wife and children were. We moved a lot, but that didn’t destroy our home. To be with my dear companion and my children is what made it home. We also laughed, cried, sang, went to worship together and shared with each other.

Now that our children are all grown and have their own homes, home is a little different today. But it is still just as sweet as ever. This is because I am with the one who is closer to me than anyone on this earth. We have a house in a little town called Kemp, Texas. We live in a travel trailer most of the time – stay in motels and in the homes of brethren. That’s not home. Home is being with the only person in the world who has served me and would give her life for me. It doesn’t matter whether we are on a lonely road or a busy freeway, I feel at home as long as my wife and the mother of our children is sitting next to me. To me, home is being with the one who is closest to me, sharing and caring.

When a person is a Christian and has a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, he is at home even in this life because the Lord is by his side. Jesus said: “I will be with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). A Christian knows that Christ has served him throughout this life and that he gave his life on Calvary for him. Such love constrains us to love and serve Christ in return (2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Jn. 4:19). We are with Christ and he is with us now by faith. In the heavenly realm we will be with him by sight. In 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Paul said, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3:2). As the song says, “That will be glory for me” “just to be near the dear Lord I adore” forever. I don’t know just where heaven is and what we will do when we get there, but that really doesn’t matter just as long as I am with the one who loved me and gave himself for me and with the one whom I have loved more than I have loved my father, mother, sons, daughter or even my wife. Love for Jesus is what makes our homes here on the earth sweeter as the years go by. A home devoted to the Lord is a foretaste of the heavenly home.

Going home to heaven means going to a place of quiet and rest, but I believe it means more than that to a Christian. It is being with Jesus, my best friend and brother, and having him sitting next to me, sharing and caring.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, p. 613
October 17, 1991

By Steve Hardin

Reward. It is a word that immediately captures our attention when we see it. It is a word we become familiar with early in life. Even as children, we learn that if we are good, if we eat our vegetables, if we make A’s on our report card, etc., we will be rewarded. The high school student learns a high paying and enjoyable occupation are the rewards for the long hours of studying and the expense of a college education. Reward motivation is a principle that even follows us into adulthood. Why do adults get up early each Monday morning and go to work? Some may love their jobs. Many, however, will go to boring and tedious jobs in order to obtain the reward, the paycheck, on Friday evening. It doesn’t take us long to realize that if we want the paycheck we must go to work.

In each of these cases decisions are made. One must decide if the reward is worth the effort necessary to obtain it. This is exactly the idea of Jesus in regard to spiritual matters in his statement in Luke 14:25-33. He talks about the sacrifices necessary to be his disciple and counting the cost, deciding if the reward offered is worth the requirements. Paul answered this question for himself in Romans 8:18, where he said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul was motivated to endure the suffering of this world in order to obtain the “crown of life.” He had counted the cost and as willing to pay the price. The shipwrecks, the stoning, the beatings, he hunger and thirst, and all else that he endured for the cause of Christ were not even worthy of being compared with the reward to e conceived. The idea is, the reward far exceeded in value that which he had to endure to obtain it. Notice his statement in 2 Corinthians :17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Even though his suffering was far greater than that which you and I have were endured, Paul calls it a “light affliction,” as if all these terrible things he went through were just minor difficulties. It is not so much what he endured was easy or nothing; it is that the reward is so great and everlasting. The sufferings and trials of a Christian, no matter how severe, are temporary. Paul says they are “but for a moment. hey may seem to be eternal when we are experiencing them. However, when compared to the reward, everlasting life in heaven, even years of suffering are as nothing in comparison. The motivation for the Christian to endure and “not grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 9) is the greatness of the reward (Matt. 5:11-12). Without faithfulness and endurance on the part of the Christian, the reward will be lost, as Paul taught in 2 Timothy 2:11-12. “This is a faithful saying: For we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.”

In 2 Peter 3, Peter is writing to those whose faith is being severely tried. He is reminding them of the fact that the “day of the Lord will come” and this world will come to an end. For the righteous, Peter said, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13). In 2 Peter 3:11-14, Peter is reminding them of the kind of persons they should be if they wish to receive the reward. Receiving an eternal home in heaven with God and the redeemed should be our greatest motivation for faithful service to God. This is certainly a thought which should thrill the heart of us all. The reward is worth more than any sacrifice required of man.

At the command of God, in some future time, this earth shall be no more (2 Pet. 3:10-11). Where do we go from here? This is the question that really should concern all of us. Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 25:46 teach us that we have only one of two choices. The righteous shall enjoy eternal life in heaven. They are the ones who count the cost and determine in their heart and by their life that the reward is more than worth the cost. The unrighteous will be rewarded with “everlasting punishment” in hell. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Each of us will determine his own destiny based on what he does in this life (Rev. 22:14; Matt. 7:21). However, even with all of our efforts to obtain the reward, if it were not for the fact that eternal life is the “gift of God” we would never receive it. All of our efforts, even though essential to receive the reward, never earn the reward. It is the grace of God that makes the reward possible for us and reveals to us the way to obtain it (Rom. 6:23). In Ephesians 2:8, Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Near the end of his life Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the Day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” If we are to some day receive heaven as our reward it will be because we, like Paul, counted the cost. After considering all the suffering nothing in comparison to the reward, we were willing to fight the battles, run the race and finish the course. In order to make it, we need to follow the divinely inspired advice of Paul in Colossians 3:1-2, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 609, 631
October 17, 1991

By Bill Feist

Have you ever traveled a long ways and finally reached your destination where you have a reservation only to have a clerk, with a blank look on his face, after searching through some computer terminal, say, “I don’t see your name on the list”? It is shattering to think that your name is not on the list, even though you know you made a reservation. You can be sure of one thing if you are a Christian, you have a reward reserved for you. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3-4). This is one reservation that is going to be honored. Each of us needs to be sure to get there and claim it.

Men are interested in and have a desire for a life beyond this one. Man longs for immortality. Paul expressed this longing in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” The children of the world have no inheritance awaiting them at the end of this life. The Christian can say with assurance, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).

Scripture uses the word “inheritance” to refer to a settled and secure possession. Inheritance in the Old Testament Scriptures referred not only to an estate received by a child from his parents, but also to the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Jehovah. To Israel the great inheritance was the “Promised Land” which “flowed with milk and honey.” God even identified Israel as a “people of inheritance” (Deut. 4:20).

The Christian’s inheritance is far greater than any physical heritage. The greatness of the Christian’s inheritance is most difficult to depict. This is due to the fact that our heavenly inheritance is so unlike our earthly existence that we have to be told what heaven will not be like. Thus, Peter uses three negatives to impress upon us the fact that heaven is not like anything which we know on this earth. No man has within his power the ability to alter the reality of what Peter states. Consider the comparable excellencies of the inheritance.

The heavenly inheritance is “incorruptible.” Observation informs us that the greatest achievements of man give way to the ravening touch of time. Many have returned to the old homestead only to find it in a state of decay and deterioration due to neglect and the passage of time. Scripture says that heaven is a place that shall never decay. Corruption is a change from better to worse. There will be no corruption in heaven. No destructive force can in any way injure this eternal inheritance as they do the inheritances of the earth. Rust, moth and thieves (Matt. 6:19) can harm this material inheritance. They can not touch the eternal one. Why strive to attain earthly rewards which must ultimately fade and perish, when there is within your grasp an incorruptible inheritance? This inheritance that God offers his people is alone incorruptible. In this respect it is like its Maker who is called by Paul in Romans 1:23 the “incorruptible God.” Heaven is without change, as it is without end.

Our inheritance is also identified as being “undefiled.” Being “undefiled” our inheritance is not subject to contamination. The things that spoil our world or mar its beauty will have no place in heaven. Sin, misery, death, separations, loneliness, physical handicaps, mental pains and all tears will be gone. Nothing impure can enter it. Deterioration is thus impossible. It is pure and lofty. It is an inheritance we can desire without any reservations. Material inheritances may corrupt the heart (Lk. 12:13-15). They may tempt us to extravagance, covetousness or lust. The heavenly inheritance will never tend in any means to defile. Heaven is like our great High Priest, even Jesus, “who is holy, harmless, undefiled” (Heb. 7:26).

Peter’s final negative describing our inheritance is that it “will not fade away.” The word translated here is properly applied to that which does not fade or wither, as a cut flower. It denotes that which is enduring. Our inheritance will not lose anything as a result of age, illness or familiarity. It will not be marred by impurity or through damage by our enjoyment. Such suggests our inheritance will be kept in its original brightness and beauty. In view of this thought, the figures used in Scripture to describe heaven would roughly translate into these thoughts: the streets will lose none of their luster, the crown of life will not need elbow grease to polish it up, nor will the flowers on the banks of the river of life ever fade. Man has searched for the fountain of youth where all things are able to remain in their prime. This picture of our inheritance offers a perpetual fountain of youth.

Here is an inheritance appointed for us who are kept by one who cannot lie and can bestow all that he has promised. It is not available in this life. The people for whom this heavenly inheritance is reserved are described, not by name, but by character: “for you” or “for us.” It is for those who have been begotten again to a lively hope (1 Pet. 1:3) and have remained faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10). The inheritance is reserved for such as these. All others will be shut out forever (Matt. 25:10). This inheritance is reserved in heaven and is not to be expected on this earth (2 Pet. 3:10-13). Our inheritance is in heaven where Jesus has gone to prepare us a place (Jn. 14:1-3). He keeps it safe. Earthly inheritances may be lost by careless or unscrupulous guardians. Our inheritance is as sure as the God who offers it.

Having an eternal inheritance gives us perspective. Perspective is what helps us determine what is really important in life. This is illustrated, without the use of the word inheritance, in Hebrews 10:34, “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” This is what gives direction in our lives. This is our hope for when this life is completed.

Going to heaven is not the natural result of simply having lived. It involves a choice. When Jesus taught concerning the foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), he was trying to impress upon our minds that everybody who anticipates going to heaven isn’t going to go there. The foolish virgins were not foolish because they were immoral, they were virgins. They were not foolish because they were in the wrong company, they were with the wise. They were foolish because they had a vain expectation of seeing the bridegroom. They had not been willing to prepare for him. They counted on others to have their preparation for them. Finally it was too late. They were on the outside looking in, as the door was shut. To go to heaven takes time, prayer, thought, planning, discipline and perseverance.

1 Peter 1:3-4 combines the beginning of our spiritual life with its consummation. Daily life lies between these two extremes. Living in a world that is often hostile to us, our hearts ought to be filled with longing for the inheritance set before us. What a weighty incentive to faithfulness is our eternal inheritance!

The “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” is an appeal to the aspiring. Why seek earthly distinctions which must pass away, when within your reach is the unfading inheritance of God? This is stimulus to endure the combat of daily life. Why grow weary, why sink fainthearted in the strife, when there is stretched forth before and above you, the Divine and imperishable inheritance of heaven?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 611-612
October 17, 1991