Life and Immortality

Life and Immortality

Paul was appointed a preacher, and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles to bring life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Tim. 1:10-11.

All human glory withers and passes away; nothing of what man’s nature can accomplish can please God. Here on this earth man glitters in external splendor with adornments and shining garments, but perhaps behind the façade there is an ugly, crippled form that becomes visible when the tent of the body falls away; and this is what will be seen for all eternity. We are only in this body for a short time, and then we will have to face God as we are on the inside, without any external finery and medals. That will be a terrible day for all the ungodly and all the hypocrites that act like Pharisees. However, it will be a glorious day for all the God-fearing who have lived the hidden life with Christ in God. Perhaps their earthly tent was weak and insignificant, but when it falls away they will be presented as radiant and glorious forms and will be clothed by the Lord with correspondingly glorified bodies.

It is still the time of grace, and a new life of immortality and glory can be born in us through the gospel.

It is exceedingly great to be born of God. Then we have received something from God Himself within us. An incorruptible life of God is born, together with a heavenly citizenship and right of inheritance, that includes all the promises and blessings. Even at its very beginning this life possesses sufficient eternal power to control the body, in spite of all the opposition from the flesh with its passions and desires. It is born to rule, and not be oppressed. It rules with an immortal power of life, and the result of each work becomes immortal—a fruit that remains and follows us into the heavenly habitations.

This life of God is born in us by the Word of truth and can grow and be nourished only by this Word. We must understand our high and holy calling and the value of possessing this precious life, so we can cultivate and nourish it by being devoted to God with all our heart. Just think if we should no longer possess this life because of unfaithfulness! Then it would truly be dark and empty. Think to live in this evil, dark world with our hope only in the things that crumble and pass away!

It is a great and blessed calling to be along in planting the Word of life into darkened hearts, so that life and immortality can break forth through the gospel.

We were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ; and we have been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible seed, through the Word of God, which lives and abides. 1 Pet. 1:18, 23. We have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us (vs. 3-4), and to “eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” Rom. 2:7.

A curse comes over those who exchange the incorruptible glory of God for corruptible things. In Romans 1:23 and 25 we read that they exchanged God’s truth for a lie. This is how stupid people can be. But think of exchanging these corruptible things for a life of glory and incorruption! That is really great! Think of laying hold of something firm and incorruptible in this world where everything is so unstable and uncertain! If we dispose of all these earthly things according to God’s will, we will have an eternal and glorious treasure to rejoice over in the heavenly dwellings.

When we have been born again of incorruptible seed, everything that grows from this seed will be incorruptible. There will also be incorruptible hope and power, peace, joy and rest, and an eternal priesthood and brotherhood, together with an eternal love.

The temple of the old covenant passed away, but the temple of the new covenant will shine with an eternal brightness and glory. Paul labored untiringly so that this incorruptible glory could be made manifest in each person’s life. This was his apostleship. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart,” he says in 2 Corinthians 4:1. It is certain that his was a rich and glorious ministry, and we have received the same ministry.

God doesn’t give us just a little bit of power with which to meet the evil. He gives us something of Himself, something of His own nature, and with this divine life we can overcome the world and the things that are in the world.

Let us search and test ourselves. What is the state of our inner man, our thought life, and our connection with God? Do we harbor good and noble thoughts about each brother and sister and every other person, and do these thoughts manifest themselves in all kinds of good things? Do we have an inner man that hungers and thirsts for spiritual food and rejoices in the Word of truth? Are we genuinely good in our innermost heart? If we aren’t, it is possible to have it that way from now on. Times of blessing and refreshing have now come from the Lord, with salvation and healing for all those who will receive it. Lay hold of eternal life to which you have been called!

“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” Eph. 6:24.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 1:17.