 
Illustration. The Morning Of Christ's Resurrection. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36. 1. What precious promise has God made to His children? “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25. 2. How may we obtain eternal life? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. 3. Who has everlasting life? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” Verse 36. 4. Where is this everlasting or eternal life? “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11. 5. What therefore follows? “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Verse 12. 6. What does Christ give His followers? “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28. [pg 771]7. Why, after the fall, was man shut away from the tree of life? “Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” Gen. 3:22. 8. What has Christ promised the overcomer? “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7. 9. To what is the life of the redeemed compared? “For as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isa. 65:22. 10. When will immortality be conferred upon the saints? “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:51-53. Note.—In accepting Christ the believer receives “that eternal life, which was with the Father,” and this eternal life he retains as long as Christ dwells in the heart by faith. This wondrous gift may be lost by failure to maintain the faith which holds Christ fast. At the resurrection, immortality is conferred upon those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and thus the possession of eternal life becomes a permanent experience. Toil on a little longer here, For thy reward awaits above, Nor droop in sadness or in fear Beneath the rod that's sent in love; The deeper wound our spirits feel, The sweeter heaven's balm to heal. Faith lifts the veil before our eyes, And bids us view a happier clime, Where verdant fields in beauty rise, Beyond the withering blasts of time; And brings the blissful moment near, When we in glory shall appear. Then let us hope; 'tis not in vain; Though moistened by our grief the soil, The harvest brings us joy for pain, The rest repays the weary toil; For they shall reap, who sow in tears, Rich gladness through eternal years. Annie R. Smith. |
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