TWO PASSAGES OF Scripture throw a flood of light upon this whole question of the ultimate destiny of those who live and die without Christ, and after an adequate chance to change continue to live in unrepentant rebellion against love. We have looked at them; we must look at them again. The first: “who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:9–10).
Here it is said that life and immortality were “brought to light through the gospel.” If you accept that gospel and live by it, you have life and immortality. If you do not accept that gospel, you have death and mortality. Immortality is not inherent in us. It is a gift of grace. When you are in Christ you have life and immortality; when you are in yourself you have death and mortality. The choice is ours—life or death—and it is real life and real death.
Another passage: “and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality” (1 Tim. 6:15–16). Here it is said that Jesus Christ alone has immortality. Immortality is not inherent in us; it is inherent in Him—and in Him alone. When we are in Him we have immortality; when we are out of Him we do not have immortality—we perish. Or as another passage puts it, we suffer “eternal destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9)—self-destruction.
O blessed Redeemer, save us from self-destruction. Help us in every thought, in every word, in every deed to choose Thee. Then we choose life and immortality, and we live in life and immortality now—hence forever. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: In Christ, I do not look for eternal life. I have it now—a quality of being.
