Articles
How May We Obtain Eternal Life?
"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life" (Luke 18:18)? How does one obtain eternal life?
One is CALLED to eternal life. "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (I Timothy 6:12, emp LS). How is one "called" to eternal life? Again, the apostle Paul says, "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thessalonians 2:14, emp LS). The gospel of Jesus Christ is what "calls" us to eternal life.
One must BELIEVE in Christ to obtain eternal life. "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (I Timothy 1:16, emp LS). One of the most beautiful passages in all the bible says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). How important is it really to believe in Christ? Jesus says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
Eternal life is IN Jesus Christ. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (I John 5:11-12, emp LS). How does one get "in" Christ? Paul, by verbal inspiration, gives us the answer, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27, emp LS). One that has heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and believes it will then be baptized into Christ wherein is eternal life (Ephesians 1:3).
One must be FREED FROM SIN to obtain eternal life. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22). How is one "made free from sin"? Paul says, "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18). This "doctrine" (teaching) that Paul speaks of is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the "power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16).
One must WALK according to the fruit of the Spirit. "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Galatians 6:8). One that "soweth to the Spirit" is one that adds to his life the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-25).
Each of us must apply ALL these things, not just pick one or two, to our life to obtain eternal life. Have you? Please, continue to search the Scriptures.
