How do we take hold of eternal life?

John Farley
Pastor Teacher
Sunday,
February 18, 2024

How do we take hold of eternal life?

What is eternal lfe?

JOH 17:3

We believers HAVE eternal life NOW.

And…eternal life is something that believers can LIVE IN NOW.

We can GROW
in our capacity to live in eternal life - now, in time.

How can we take hold of eternal life now, in time?

MAT 19:16-17

Jesus gave him a simple answer:
Keep the commandments.

MAT 19:18-22

How can I become complete?

Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and come follow Me.

A heart that covets the world’s riches is not complete or mature.

How do we take hold of eternal life during our lives on earth?

Keep the commandments of the Lord.

We already have this life. Yet the epistles tell us that we can also take hold of this life!

1TI 6:12

You can have eternal life, yet never take hold of it. You can fail to reap eternal life.

It means that we don’t grow in our capacity to live in eternal life in time.

We can grow in our capacity to live in eternal life now.

To begin to answer that, we need to check out the neighborhood in 1Ti 6.

1TI 6:8-16

First, flee from anything that is the opposite of taking hold of eternal life.

Then, pursue the things that contribute to living in eternal life.

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

How do we take hold of eternal life during our lives on earth?

Pursue the things that are pleasing to God.

ROM 12:2

Imitate His character: His righteousness, His love, His gentleness.