The Study on the Teachings of LORD Jesus Christ Regarding the Eternal Life -- Sharing Some Examples in Part of the Verses
1. (1) Only by believing in the Name of LORD Jesus Christ, may one have eternal life.
“that everyone who believes in him (Christ) may have eternal life. ” (Joh 3:15)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ” (Joh 3:16)
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. ” (Joh 3:18)
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.” (Joh 3:36)
Note that, here, to “believe” or not to “believe” is not temporary, but refers to the continuous and firm attitude to “believe” or not to “believe”.
Although these verses are often cited by some who propose the saying of “Once Saved, Always Saved”. There is no any implication of “once” in these verses.
(2) A person must be reborn so that to have eternal life. The rebirth is completely the grace given by God, and is given freely. As long as one is willing to confess sins and repent, with the heart he believes and with the mouth he confesses the holy Name of LORD Jesus Christ, he will be reborn. A person is reborn by righteousness through faith; and there is absolutely no any other condition. God created this world through the Spirit and water, and He also give the rebirth to whoever believes in the Name of LORD Jesus Christ -- the Son who God loves.
“In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " ” (Joh 3:3)
“Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ” (Joh 3:5)
The rebirth is a call to those who know their sins and confess sins.
“For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mat 9:13)
2. Learn the teachings of LORD Jesus Christ regarding eternal life -- sharing some examples of part of the verses in Matthew
(1) Chapter 5-7 of Matthew -- The Beatitudes:
A. The beatitudes: the people who are easy to enter the door of eternal life are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, and those who are insulted, persecuted and falsely talked by others with all kinds of evils for the name of LORD Jesus Christ.
B. We should have good deeds and be the salt and light among people;
C. We should obey the laws and commands;
D. We should not: hate others, look at women lustfully, divorce the wife, swear, repay eye to eye, judge others and so on; we should: love the enemies, give to the needy, and store up the treasure in heaven and so on.
E. We should hear the words of LORD and put them into practice.
and so on.
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. ” (Mat 5:20)
(2) The parable of narrow gate and wide gate -- the eternal life is the narrow gate:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ” (Mat 7:13)
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Mat 7:14)
(3) The evil doers can not enter the kingdom of heaven; but only he who does the will of God is in heaven:
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Mat 7:21-23)
(4) The people who belong to LORD are those who love LORD more than their own life, parents and children, should deny himself and take up his cross and follow LORD.
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ” (Mat 10:37)
“and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Mat 10:38)
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ” (Mat 10:39)
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ” (Mat 16:24)
(5) The evil doers will received the eternal punishment; the righteous receive the eternal life and rewards:
“The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. ” (Mat 13:41-43)
(6) Those who are as humble as little children, can enter the kingdom of heaven and be the great in the kingdom of heaven:
“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ”(Mat 18:2-4)
(7) Those who give up the wealth and other things on earth will inherit eternal life:
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. ” (Mat 19:29)
(8) Some come to work early; while some come to work late; but they will all receive the rewards in heaven:
Chapter 29 of Matthew: the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. ” (K.J.V.) (Mat 20:16)
(9)Those who are not dressed with the clothing of righteousness, who do not do what is righteous, can not enter the kingdom of God:
“"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are invited, but few are chosen."” (Mat 22:11-14)
(10) The faithful and wise servants, who keep watch and work for LORD, will receive the power; the wicked servants, who abuse the brothers and sisters, and indulge in the enjoyment and pleasures, will be punished severely.
The latter part of Chapter 24 of Matthew
(11) A. The wise and watchful servants of LORD who are prepared can enter the kingdom of heaven; the foolish servants who do not keep watch and are not ready, will be outside the door.
Chapter 25 of Matthew (25:1-13): the parable of the ten virgins.
B. The good and faithful servants who make best use of the gifts to work for LORD will enter the kingdom of heaven to receive the rewards; those who waste their gifts and are lazy to do the work will be thrown into the darkness.
Chapter 25 of Matthew (25:14-30): the parable of the talents.
C. The evildoers will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Chapter 25 of Matthew (31-46): the sheep and the goats
“Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' ” (Mat 25:34-36)
“"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” (Mat 25:40)
“"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' ” (Mat 25:41-43)
“"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' ” (Mat 25:45)
“"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." ” (Mat 25:46)
Now, here is the question to those who hold the saying of “Once Saved, Always Saved”: how do they response to these teachings of eternal life of LORD? If a person does not trust in and obey LORD completely and make every effort to be holy and be one in Christ, will he meet the standard to enter the heavenly kingdom? Or should he belong to the other kind of people?
This message is written and enlightened under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises, and glories be to God!
