Tag: The Hope of Eternal Life

The Hope of Eternal Life Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

There are twenty-three conditions of eternal life in the Word of God: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Eat His flesh – drink His blood [communion] (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58). Labour (John 6:27). Reap – win souls by living Christ’s example of perfect (no sin) human life (John 4:35-38; 1Pet. 2:21-23). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25). Know God and Christ (John 17:2-3). Enter the right gate (Matt. 7:13-14). Cause no offence (Matt. 18:8-9). Keep commandments (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14). Continue in well-doing and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19). Be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations (Jas. 1:12). Let the promise of it remain in you and continue in God and Christ (1Jn. 2:24-25; 5:11-20). Love everybody (1Jn. 3:14-15). Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24). Overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15). Believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5). Be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29; 1Pet. 2:21-23).

We get eternal life now and keep it forever if we meet the above conditions, but it does not become an unforfeitable eternal possession until we enter into it (Matt. 7:13; 18:8-9; 19:17; Rom. 6:22); receive it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:13; Rev. 2:10); reap it (Gal. 6:7-8); and inherit it in the world to come (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30), and at the end of this life (Rom. 6:22).

The Hope of Eternal Life Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

‘But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.’ Sevenfold salvation of the soul: The manifestation of the kindness and love of God toward man (3:4). Not by works of righteousness by man to merit it (3:5; Eph. 2:8-9). By God’s mercy, He saved us. By the washing of regeneration in the precious blood of Christ and the Word (Matt. 26:28; Eph. 5:26; Col. 1:14-22; 1Pet. 1:18-23; Jas. 1:18). Renewing of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 12:2). Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ (3:6; Rom. 5:5; 8:14-16; 2Cor. 12:13). Justified by His grace, we are made heirs of the hope of eternal life (3:7; Rom. 3:24-31; 5:1-11; Eph. 2:8-9).

‘Shed on’ [Greek, ekcheo] to pour forth; bestow; to gush out; run greedily out; shed abroad; to spill out freely (3:6; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:16-21, 33; 10:45; Joel 2:28-29).

‘Abundantly’ [Greek, plousios] richly (3:6; Col. 3:16; 1Tim. 6:17; 2Pet. 1:11).

‘The hope of eternal life.’ Unforfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Hope that is seen is not hope (Rom. 8:24-25). How can it be a hope and a present possession, as stated in John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:28-29? Why do we yet hope for it if we have it, as stated in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and 1Timothy 1:1? The simple truth is that it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on condition of remaining in Him (1Jn. 5:11-12; John 15:1-8; Gal. 1:6-8; 4:19; 5:4; etc.).

To be continued…