The Christian Life
What must I do to receive eternal life?
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life
is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life”. (1 John 5:11-15) “We know that we have come to know
him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does
not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that
person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made
complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever
claims to live in him must live as Jesus did”. (1 John:3-6)
As we study scripture, it becomes obvious that to know, believe, obey,
have faith, trust and love of Jesus are all foundational for Christian life.
How can we think that these describe us if we do not study and do
what Jesus tells us? This is hypocrisy. John tells us that these terms are
defined by the effects they have on the way we live?
“If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does
what is right has been born of him”. (1 John 2:29) The ability to live
righteous lives comes from knowing Jesus and having a relationship with
Him. We know Him through the study of His word and, equally important,
through prayer and practice of his word.
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed
remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of
God”. (1 John 3:9) John makes it clear that it is through our desire to obey
that we can know we have eternal life. John does not say that perfect
obedience saves, but rather our desire or struggle to completely obey God is
evidence of our salvation.
“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are
not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This
is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John
5:3-5) The world represents evil and all that opposes God. We overcome
evil through obedience. John is not speaking of the kind of burdensome
obedience that fills us with grief and robs us of joy, but a victorious
obedience. You are precious in God’s sight as one in Christ. His
commands are meant as a blessing to you. It is no accident that Jesus
portrays his disciples receiving eternal life because they hear his voice
and follow him. (John 10:27) “I came that they may have life,
and may have [it] abundantly”. (John 10:10)
If the Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus stop doubting and believe.
“and whoever comes to me I will not cast". (John 6:37)
You can overcome the world and have eternal life today! All are welcome. Come!
Colby Reeves - member
In person Sundays 8 am and 10:30 am or livestream 10:30 am.
Evangelchurchpca.org – 425 Thompson Rd. Alabaster 205-664-0889
What must I do to receive eternal life?
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life
is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life”. (1 John 5:11-15) “We know that we have come to know
him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does
not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that
person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made
complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever
claims to live in him must live as Jesus did”. (1 John:3-6)
As we study scripture, it becomes obvious that to know, believe, obey,
have faith, trust and love of Jesus are all foundational for Christian life.
How can we think that these describe us if we do not study and do
what Jesus tells us? This is hypocrisy. John tells us that these terms are
defined by the effects they have on the way we live?
“If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does
what is right has been born of him”. (1 John 2:29) The ability to live
righteous lives comes from knowing Jesus and having a relationship with
Him. We know Him through the study of His word and, equally important,
through prayer and practice of his word.
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed
remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of
God”. (1 John 3:9) John makes it clear that it is through our desire to obey
that we can know we have eternal life. John does not say that perfect
obedience saves, but rather our desire or struggle to completely obey God is
evidence of our salvation.
“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are
not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This
is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John
5:3-5) The world represents evil and all that opposes God. We overcome
evil through obedience. John is not speaking of the kind of burdensome
obedience that fills us with grief and robs us of joy, but a victorious
obedience. You are precious in God’s sight as one in Christ. His
commands are meant as a blessing to you. It is no accident that Jesus
portrays his disciples receiving eternal life because they hear his voice
and follow him. (John 10:27) “I came that they may have life,
and may have [it] abundantly”. (John 10:10)
If the Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus stop doubting and believe.
“and whoever comes to me I will not cast". (John 6:37)
You can overcome the world and have eternal life today! All are welcome. Come!
Colby Reeves - member
In person Sundays 8 am and 10:30 am or livestream 10:30 am.
Evangelchurchpca.org – 425 Thompson Rd. Alabaster 205-664-0889
