Forever

Eternal life has to do with two elements: being in God; and in an incorruptible physical body, termed a “spiritual body” (1Co 15:44, e.g. Luk 24:39). Thus the “resurrection” has solely to do with a new physical body, which all who come into this life will receive, the good and the evil (Jhn 5:28). All will be raised, some unto eternal life, and most unto eternal death (“second death” - Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8); which the latter “shall be forever and ever” in “the lake of fire” (Rev 20:10).

Eternal life can only be given once, or it isn’t eternal life, because it is life in God—“forever.” If one were asking God for eternal life, wouldn’t He know if they were being sincere? Thus, to honor His Word He gives it only to those He knows who genuinely desire it. How could He do otherwise, knowing their insincerity? It’s insensible to conceive that He would give this gift knowing He would be taking it back due to the absence of truly desiring it.

Regardless of how hard it may seem, in knowing that God foreknows most will choose the “broad way” (Mat 7:13, 14), we can be confidently assured that all He does is “good” (e.g. Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).

 

Right, one must ask God for it!

 

To me, a "work" is something that is attributed to producing something (which only God can do), not just receiving it. They not the same thing.

 

Yes, everything done involving spent energy is work, even just walking (which is not much allowed by the Law on the sabbath when the Law was in force). The issue here is differentiating between a work that contributes to producing (effecting) redemption, which only Christ has done. I don't see (but it's okay if you do) a sensibility in thinking that merely believing in His expiation for our sin nature involves a work, and the faith received (saving faith which we're not born with) is "through" which salvation is transferred (Eph 2:8) "by grace."

God bless, and appreciate your fellowship in the Word!

 

I would say works either show the presence of rebirth or its absence.

 

Hi U, and thanks for the comment! It has not only always been obvious most are unconcerned about being right with God, but is continuing to be more obvious all the time.

The Mat 7 passage is not about the numbers themselves but the comparison of them, and to me, "many" is most in comparison to the "few".

True! Unless I'm missing your meaning, it's obvious that the "wide gate" merely begins an inevitable path to "destruction" (lake of fire, where hell will also be - Rev 20:14).

Isn't "hope" only for those choosing to be in Christ --Eph 2:12? Zeal, like truth, must be "according to knowledge" (i.e. God's Word - Rom 10:2).

God bless!

 

Works are just used for manifesting righteousness, not producing it. Just as James wrote concerning the word "justify," which has two meanings: 1) to make one righteous; 2) to show one is righteous.

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified" (Jas 2:24). In this sense, justified means to show righteousness, because only Christ can make one righteous.

God bless!