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POSSESSION OF ETERNAL LIFE
The Bible is clear on what it means to possess eternal life. It says, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life,” (1 John 5:20). Clearly according to this verse eternal life is possessed by those to whom the Son of God (Jesus) has given an “understanding.” Often zealous persons have told lost people that if they will do this or that or the other thing they will be regenerated or born again. Zophar, one of Job's friends raised a good question: “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?” (Job 11:7-10). Do people really think they can “find out God?” He is infinite and cannot be found by finite persons! The Lord Jesus Himself stated, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him,” (Matthew 11:27). God's Word is clear and absolute: no person possesses eternal life apart from knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. Furthermore no person knows either God or Jesus except “the Son” Jesus Christ reveals Him. In fact, Paul wrote, “...there is none that seeketh after God,” (Romans 3:11). This phrase along with other statements lets us know how bad off mankind is unless and until God makes Himself known to lost sinners. Men may seek religion or heaven or what they perceived to be God's blessings or to escape eternal punishment, but no person seeks after God until God first moves into him and by His presence regenerates the spiritually dead sinner. We must not look to ourselves or something that we have done and by our self-effort or religious activity think that we know God and His Son. Has He taken all the steps to save you? What we must determine is this: has God regenerated us by moving in? Has He taken the initiative and revealed Himself to us as individuals? If not we are merely religious and further deceive ourselves by looking to ourselves for such assurance. In speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit Peter said, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call,” (Acts 2:39). What? It is God who does the calling? Do you “...know what is the hope of his calling...”? (Ephesians 1:18), or is yours only a hope-so kind of religion?
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