The Gospel and Eternal Life |
|
|
|
2 Timothy 1:10The grace of God which makes the Good News of Jesus possible has not only existed since before the beginning of time, it existed in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time but, best, it was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. Jesus did not so much come to bring us this grace but to reveal it to us for "those whom God has predestined to salvation" (Paul - not Calvin!) have the grace within them already but only through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, can that grace be revealed and only through its revelation can we know salvation, for salvation comes by grace but through faith, and faith comes by the hearing of the Word. It is not only grace that his appearing has brought to life, however, for Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. The gospel of Jesus is a gospel of life, of immortality, of Eternal Life. This is not simply an affirmation of life after death - pie in the sky - it is something I have even now. I have passed from death into life, I have Eternal Life here and now. In the sense that really matters, I am already immortal for that is part of, and the result of, the Good News. Already in this very truth we see the important fact, often overlooked by Evangelicals, that the Christian life is a supernatural life and that there should be no surprise when God breaks through our natural living in supernatural ways. If I am already living in immortality and dwelling in the heavenlies, why should I live as a purely natural man? The Good News is News of Eternal Life.
Further Scriptures:
|