Eternal Life

Feb

2024

Your Reward – Don’t Lose It!

“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” (2 John 1:8 NIV)

What Does It Mean to Watch Out?

The apostle John wrote this letter to a group of Christians who were facing false teachers and deceivers. He warned them to be careful not to be led astray by those who denied the truth about Jesus Christ. He also encouraged them to remain faithful to the commandment of love and to walk in obedience to God.

To watch out means to be alert, vigilant, and discerning. It means to pay attention to what we believe, how we live, and who we associate with.

It means to guard our hearts and minds from anything that would compromise our faith or our relationship with God.

Why Do We Need to Watch Out?

It is important to watch out because we have a precious treasure that is worth protecting. John said that we have worked for something that we do not want to lose. What is that something? It is the reward of eternal life that God has promised to those who believe in his Son.

The reward of eternal life is not something that we earn by our own efforts or merits. It is a gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith. However, it is also something that we can forfeit by our own negligence or disobedience.

If we turn away from the truth, if we follow false teachings, if we stop loving God and one another, we risk losing our reward.

How Do We Watch Out?

You watch out by staying close to God and his word. We need to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work.

We need to pray, worship, and fellowship with God, who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his glory. We need to obey, serve, and love God, who is able to reward us according to our deeds.

Watch out by staying connected to the community of faith. We need to listen, learn, and submit to the leaders and teachers who faithfully proclaim the truth and guide us in the way of righteousness.

Support, encourage, and care for one another, especially those who are weak, struggling, or suffering. We need to share, witness, and defend the gospel, especially to those who are lost, confused, or deceived.

What Is the Result of Watching Out?

The result of watching out is that we may be rewarded fully. John said that if we watch out, we will not lose what we have worked for, but we will receive the fullness of God’s blessing.

What is the fullness of God’s blessing? It is the joy of seeing Jesus face to face, the peace of being in his presence, the glory of sharing in his inheritance, and the love of being with him forever.

The reward of eternal life is not something that we can take for granted or assume that we already have. It is something that we need to pursue, protect, and prepare for. It is something that we need to watch out for.

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Feb

2024

Unbreakable Bond

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:29)

The Bible contains an amazing promise from Jesus that should give every Christian great comfort and confidence. Jesus says in the Gospel of John that God the Father has given believers to Him as a gift, and that no one can ever take us out of God’s hand.

Salvation Comes from God’s Grace

First, Jesus tells us that Christians belong to Him because God the Father has given them to Him. This means that our salvation does not depend on anything we do to earn it. Instead, it depends completely on God’s grace and love towards us.

Before time began, God chose us and set His love upon us. He saved us and adopted us as His own dear children, not because we were worthy, but because He is so gracious and kind.

Since our salvation comes as a free gift from God, we can be sure that He will not change His mind later and turn His back on us. He knew all our flaws and failures ahead of time, and he saved us anyway.

His love lasts forever, because God Himself lasts forever. Our security is based on God’s faithful promise, not our own efforts.

God Rules Over All Things

Jesus also reminds us that God His Father is greater than all. As the eternal Creator of the universe, God has supreme power and authority over all that exists.

No one can compete with Him or threaten Him in any way. Every king and every ruler must ultimately give account to God.

This means that God has the power to protect us and keep us safe no matter what may come against us. No enemy, no sickness or tragedy, no hardship or danger is too much for God to handle or shield us from.

God is mightier than any force in heaven or on earth. We can take refuge in him because nothing can overcome His strength and love for His people.

No One Can Snatch Us from God’s Grip

Not only is God supremely powerful, Jesus says, but He also holds on tightly to those who believe in Him. No one can snatch us out of His hand—we are gripped firmly by the Almighty Creator who loves us!

Just as a loving parent holds onto a small child to keep them from wandering into danger, God cradles us in His mighty hands. He keeps his eye always on us, guiding our steps. He surrounds us constantly with His comfort, strength and love.

We do not keep ourselves safe from enemies or hardship through our own power. We rely fully on God’s power and faithfulness towards us. Our confidence comes from understanding that the eternal, almighty Creator of the universe has promised to hold onto us tightly forever.

He will never forget us or let us slip through His fingers. His grip on our lives will never loosen or grow weak.

United with God Forever

This intimate bond between God and His people was made possible through Jesus. Jesus is God in human form who lived among us. He died and rose again to pay for our sins, making reconciliation between God and man possible.

Now Jesus invites us to be united with Him and with God the Father in a relationship of love. He wants us to know Him, enjoy close friendship with Him, and reflect His love out into the world.

Because of Jesus, Christians do not relate to God merely through laws or rituals. We have intimacy with God—we are united to Him by Jesus Christ our Lord! God embraces us as His own dear children and promises to keep us safe, loved, and secure in His hands forever.

Understanding this incredible privilege should inspire our deep love, gratitude and reverence for God our Father, now and for all eternity.

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Dec

2023

Food that Endures

John 6:27 – “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

It’s easy to devote our limited time and energy pursuing things that do not ultimately satisfy or endure. We strive for wealth, pleasure, success and possessions that will inevitably fade away.

Even necessities like food and clothing can become consuming quests when making a living eclipses higher priorities.

We run ourselves ragged satisfying temporary, temporal cravings while neglecting the eternal.

Set Your Sights Higher

Christ gently redirects our focus in this passage to pursue Him as the only source of lasting fulfillment and security.

He alone offers food that brings complete satisfaction now and endures for eternity. Make seeking Christ your primary aim in this fleeting life.

Bread from Heaven

What is this food that endures to eternal life which Jesus offers?

Earlier in John 6, Jesus declared He is the Bread of Life come down from heaven to give life to the world. Just as bread sustains natural life, Christ sustains those who feed on Him spiritually.

To eat the bread of Christ means trusting wholly in Him for salvation, nourishment and satisfaction of soul.

It means surrendering our futures fully into His hands and relying completely on Him alone.

Feast at the Table

Come regularly and feast at the table Christ has set before you in Scripture. Digest His words and partake of Him through communion, worship and prayer.

Hunger for Jesus more than anything this world offers. Find your heart’s deepest longing fulfilled in Him.

The Father’s Seal

This passage reveals that God the Father has put His full seal of approval on Christ.

As His beloved Son in whom He is well-pleased, Jesus is uniquely authorized to provide the spiritual food that imparts eternal life.

Because Jesus is fully endorsed by the Father, we can place absolute confidence in His words and works. The sinless Savior alone has the power to save and sustain. When we partake of Him by faith, we receive life without end.

Respond with Praise

Thank the Father for sending the living bread from heaven to give you eternal life.

When you are tempted to seek temporary satisfaction in lesser things, remember Christ alone can feed your soul now and forever. Offer Him your highest praise.

Trust His Provision

The things of this world that consume so much of our energy and worry will ultimately fade away. Possessions decay, status fades, careers end. Only what is done for Christ’s kingdom will last forever!

Rather than chasing things that perish, devote your precious time and abilities to pursuing the needs of others and furthering Christ’s work.

Trust Him to provide your daily bread. Focus your energy on treasuring an imperishable inheritance.

Set Minds on Things Above

Fix your thoughts and affections on Christ, not earthly things. He alone can satisfy the hunger of your soul now and for eternity.

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Nov

2023

Christ Has Conquered

Revelation 1:18 – I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

He Lives!

After his brutal execution, Jesus emerged from the grave alive forevermore!

By conquering death, Christ rendered powerless the ultimate weapon of our enemy. What hope this brings!

Keys to Life and Death

Jesus alone holds the keys unlocking the doorways of death and Hades.

His resurrection establishes supremacy over sin’s deadly consequences. With Christ, life prevails.

The Sting Removed

Knowing Jesus has the keys, believers need not fear death’s threat.

For us, the grave becomes a doorway into eternal life and reward. The sting of death is removed!

Living Hope

Because Jesus lives and reigns eternally, we can have rock-solid confidence that His purposes will be accomplished and His promises will stand.

Our hope rests on the Living One!

Lord Jesus, You Are Alive!

Lord Jesus, as I face loss, grief and despair, remind me that You hold the keys of death and Hades! Though I cannot see past today, You inhabit eternity. I confess You as Lord of the living and the dead. Death will not have the final word, only life through You.

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