Lay hold on eternal life! II

Peace and grace may be multiplied in your life by our Lord Jesus Christ!

I believe that the word I am sharing with you strengthens you and helps you to stay on track to eternal life.

Yesterday we started talking about how we can lay hold on eternal life. We read what Apostle Paul said about it:

 «But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).

We say that these three things help us to lay hold on eternal life. We also established that eternal life has its beginning on earth when we get to know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ. In heaven we will obtain full knowledge of God. In 1st Corinthians (13:12), Apostle Paul says: «For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known». It speaks of partial knowledge of God that we have now; but if we lay hold on eternal life and endure till the end, we will have full knowledge of God and full reward of eternal life.

«Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is» (1 John, 3:2).

This passage of Scripture tells us that we are now children of God; and it is the beginning of eternal life. When we received Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we became children of God; but that is not all. It is just the beginning of our race and our fight. We need to get to the end, and then we will see Him as He is. And then the fullness of God’s glory that is hidden in us will be revealed. To lay hold on eternal life means to be confident of getting to the finish line. It is not enough to repent of one’s sins and accept Jesus as Lord; it is not enough to start the journey towards the knowledge of God; it is important to finish it. Bible says that Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He started His race and finished it. God is calling us to imitate Jesus in this. It says in Hebrews (12:1-2):

«Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God».

We say that Jesus came to earth, started and finished His work, – and now He is at the right hand of the throne of God. It is the same thing God expects of each one of us; He wants us not only start our walk with God, but to also finish it. For this to happen we need to lay aside of the things that hinder our walk. We need to move ahead with patience and fight the good fight of faith so that we could finish the race and lay hold of eternal life.

It is extremely important not to deceive ourselves and not allow others to deceive us. Every single day we must make sure we are walking on this narrow path that leads to eternal life. My dear friends, today there are so many things around us that distract us; so we need to focus on our destination, on our finish line. We must do everything in our power to get to the finish line.

We will continue tomorrow!

Be blessed!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye