How Eternal is your Eternal Life?

 © 2017 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

The Apostle Paul once wrote to Christians in Rome assuring them that their eternal life is eternally secure.  His stirring explanation shows that Christ’s love for His own renders them eternal conquerors against all threats.

Speaking of those threats he said,

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Then he presented an exciting list of some of those threats.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Examining this list we see that death, itself, heads the list of threats.  It is death that strikes fear into most of us.  However, the second item in the list seems somewhat surprising.  It is life!  Why would Paul even think that physical life could be considered a threat to eternal life?

Perhaps it is because some professing Christians believe that continued physical life can lead to loss of eternal life.  These folks believe that, even after being saved, they can lose their salvation through sin.  In their view, Christians who fall away can again be lost and experience eternal perdition.  Such a philosophy might even cause young converts to desire early death to avoid losing salvation through sin.  Otherwise, the longer they live, the greater their risk of falling away.  What a horrible and wicked conclusion!  Thus Paul emphasizes that even life can never destroy the true believer.

One way in which Christ identifies those who are His people and demonstrates His eternal love for them is through correcting them when they sin.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-8)

God the Son, Jesus, died and rose again to save His people from their sins.  Have you come to Him for mercy and eternal life?  Has He convinced you it really is eternal?

Does His chastisement correct and reassure you?

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