Eternal Life, What Is It?

              In Romans 6:23 quoted below, the word “eternal” seems to be a word that to some, has a variable definition.  Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “eternal” as “Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal.”  Therefore, I thought I might look for some synonyms, which are “ageless, eternal, everlasting, perpetual, unending, and unceasing.”

              So with these definitions, (all from secular sources, yes, I Goggled them) why do so many want to change the words’ definition to a redefined meaning which would mean something less than eternal?

              Jesus tells us:

John 3:16  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.

The secular world also shows that the word Jesus uses, “everlasting,” to be a synonym of the word “eternal.”  Jesus also tells us in a later chapter:

John 10:27-29  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Now, Jesus uses the word “eternal” with His definition, “they shall never perish.”

              It seems odd to me that Jesus defines His own usage time and time again, yet men usurp the knowledge of God.  (They pretend to know better than the Word of God.)

              The authority of the Church comes from the Word of God, (in my heart, The King James Bible,) and is led by Jesus the Christ.  As a Baptist, a Fundamental Baptist, (I believe the Bible,) and an Independent Baptist, and an OSAS (Once Saved, Always Saved) Baptist. (I have no need for the secular definition.)  The Bible defines “eternal” as the world has defined it.  Yet, some men have redefined and stated that you cannot have the Gift of God eternally. (They say even though God has given it eternally, that you can lose it.) 

              So where does your definition of “eternal” come from?  If it comes from The King James Bible, and backed only with the secular definition, you are on the right track.  Otherwise, usurpers, (charlatans, blasphemers, wolves in sheep’s clothing), are leading you.   Look for yourself, actually read your Bible, and pray God will show you “eternal life.”

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Blessed Is The Man

              In Psalm 1:1-6 quoted below, (v 1) gives us a description of the perfect Father. 

Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Now be it known I have not been a perfect Father, and I will never be a perfect Father.  However, we have in (v 1) been given the goals with which we should strive to achieve.  (If we ever expect to receive the Blessings of God,) our task as a Father is to look to these lofty goals and set our minds to achieve them.  As men and as the head of a household, we are the leader of our family, and as such, we should set the example for our wives and children to follow.  We will never achieve perfection, (at least not on this side of Glory.)    

              We recognize every Father on this National Father’s Day.  My Father had no spiritual influence in my life, and very little physical influence.  Yet, I recognize him as a National Hero as he went to war and never came back.  For many years, my Mother kept him in front of me as my guide.  To my knowledge, my Father was not a spiritual man, but he was a good man, yet I do not know if he is in Heaven or wallowing in Hell.  I pray he is in Heaven with my Mother, and waiting to reunite with my sister and me.

              As a Father, some of you may have fond memories, and others may have memories that are not as memorable.  I have found that since my walk with the Lord, not only have my daughters memories been shortened, but have been reduced to vague memories.  Regardless of what we remember, (or what we once were,) our task today is to erase the bad by working for Christ Jesus.  

              Our last verse tells us that The LORD knows the way of the righteous.  (You and I cannot do more than cover up our past, and Jesus erases it from our memories.)  We are left with just enough memory (of our past) to know we did in fact change.

              Does your wife and children know you are a Godly man?   My fear is my wife, daughters, and grandchildren will suddenly remember or find out about the worst.  (That is something I cannot do anything about, but it is a fear I have.)  All I can do is walk in the proper counsel, The Word of God, (The King James Bible).  Father’s, where do you stand?                                   

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 1:1-6  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Ye Shall Know

                                    Joel 2:27-30 quoted below is a prophetical set of verses, (mainly tied to Judah, the Southern Tribes,) prophesying of their near and distant future. 

              There are many things “Ye Shall Know” and I dare not attempt (in this small devotion) to tackle all or even many of them. 

              So, my question is where to begin?  I direct this to those of you who call yourselves Christians.  A part of our knowledge is we “Shall Know” that all those who call themselves Christians are not necessarily Christian.  Jesus covers this particular subject many times. 

Matthew 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

              All our efforts must be “in His will.”  This is not a command to the unsaved, but for the knowledge of the Christian.  When we proclaim Jesus as our Saviour, our whole life should change.  Our focus should be doing God’s Will.

Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

              However, the norm in most Churches is that many do not serve Him.  They may serve by going to Church (in their minds “reasonably” regular),  yet, their tithes and offerings are non-existent or minimal.  Their efforts to physically work (during off hours) within the Church just isn’t there.  The 80/20 rule always applies.  (The application is 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.)  Yet, they all call themselves Christians.  How can that be if they “do not the things which I say.”  Jesus’ commandments are to do “the will of my Father” our God in heaven. 

              What kind of profession have you made?  Do you rely upon your emotions, (allowing your emotions to steer you?)  God steers each of us by the sweat of our brow, and us knowing (by the Holy Spirit) to do the “the will of my Father.”

              Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?  Has your life changed in a way that others can see the change?  God loves us no doubt, yet He expects us to toil for Him.  Do you?

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Joel 2:27-30  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  (29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  (30)  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

Whosoever?

                                    When I read, 1 John 4:15-18 quoted below, my initial thoughts are:

John 3:16  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.

              My first thought is the word “whosoever” and its implication.  A “whosoever” is anyone regardless of their faith, religion, or lack of religion.  A “whosoever” is anyone regardless of their sin, when they were born, or what they have done in their personal lives. 

            The second word I mulled over is how the word “fear” is used.  It is as we might surmise, fear and trembling.  However, it is more of a “doubt in our mind.”  All this “fear” concerns our personal lack of faith.  (I don’t want anyone to think that we should not “fear” the LORD with trembling knees, because in our reverence we should know what He is capable of allowing.)  

            When we have sin (small or great) come into our lives, we suddenly find a fear of where we stand.  We start doubting (“fear hath torment”) our faith, our God, and our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

            We find ourselves out of the Will of God, (out of church, out of the Bible, out of our prayer life) and cannot seem to find our way back.  All that is required to rekindle the flames of God’s love is to go back to where we walked away from Him.

            Drop to your knees, beg God for forgiveness, repent of your sins, and now know the love of God that exceeds the love of anything. 

            It is not that God departed from you, because once called upon in faith, He dwells within you.  Rekindle your love for God, step back into His Will, and know that love that He is.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

1 John 4:15-18  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  (16)  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  (17)  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  (18)  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.