How To Live Forever
Man has long looked for the ‘secret’ to eternal life. One of the most sought after sites in man’s history is the so-called “Fountain of Youth”. I suppose this might be because we all know the ‘older’ we become, the more we realize the closer we are to death. This is evidenced as our bodies continue to break down and eventually we shall all succumb to death unless we remain alive when the trumpet sounds - (1Thess 4:16-17). According to 1Cor 15:50-53, these “mortal bodies” cannot exist forever. God has long taught this, yet man still foolishly searches for an elixir, a fountain, or something of that nature that can extend his time on this sphere.
One of the most well-known searches is that of Ponce de Leon, the explorer and conquistador who scoured the Caribbean and a part of the “New World” for this ‘Fountain of Youth’. He claimed Florida for Spain, spent much time there and was wounded in a skirmish with the local Indians, which resulted in his death in Cuba. He was then buried in Puerto Rico, having never located this mysterious fount where one’s youth could be restored. Not surprisingly, tales of such a fountain have been recounted around the world for thousands of years, even appearing in the writings of Herodotus (5th century B.C.).
In Eccl 12:1, the Holy Spirit, through the pen of Solomon, warns that we all need to “remember” our creator in our youth before the years take their toll on our bodies and life itself becomes burdensome. Eccl 12:3-7 provides us with a vivid picture of the decline of the human body. The “keepers of the house” (hands) tremble, the “strong men” (legs) bow themselves, “grinders” (teeth) become few. Additional figurative language is employed to describe our eyes and ears that fail with time on the earth as the human body ages. We become more feeble and become afraid of falling as we become elderly. Ultimately, we all go to our “long home”. Then the “dust”, (the elements) of which this physical body consists, will return to the earth. No, our physical bodies cannot be restored to its youth, nor will it ‘live’ forever. The old adage is so true. Death is a part of this life.
Therefore, the biblical principle of ‘eternal life’ must mean something more than being born in, and living in these physical bodies. This is the meaning of what Christ said to those Pharisees in John 10:10b. He said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Those to whom He spoke were very much alive in the flesh. In John 3:16-17, after Jesus communicated the idea of being “born again” to Nicodemus, by being baptized into Christ (born of water and the spirit), Christ explained - 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. From this, we surely understand that “being saved” is only the beginning of the journey to eternal life.
Sadly, many are confused regarding the concept of being saved. Many of the denominations openly teach the “ask Jesus into your heart” or “accept Christ as your Lord and Savior” plans for Salvation. The problem is that these are not found, nor are they taught in God’s inspired Word. Not being found in God’s Word, where did these damnable doctrines originate? These are conjured up in the minds of men. Then, these men incorporate these and other ideas into worship, but let us remember what Jesus said in Matt 15:9 - But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. When folks are following man’s doctrine(s) they are not being obedient to God and His Commandments.
Even more sad is the fact that those who ignorantly or foolishly adhere to this type of teaching are not “born again”, neither will they “live forever”. One MUST be born again before they can have the “abundant life” of which Christ spoke, and for which He died on Calvary’s cross. However, none were born again, nor were any saved when Christ died on the cross. Neither were any saved when He came forth from the grave to die no more. He willingly shed His precious blood on the cross, died, was buried, and was resurrected and ascended back to the Father so man could be born again.
The Holy Spirit had Paul, in Rom 6:3-6, write that being born again requires one to be baptized “into Christ”. To do this, one must a) die to the love and practice of sin, b) be buried in the watery grave of baptism, and c) rise to walk in newness of life. Not any baptism will suffice nor will it lead to “eternal life”. One MUST “obey from the heart that form of doctrine”, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ - (Rom 6:17) to be born again. Then, as the church that met in Smyrna was told in Rev 2:10b, all who have been born again are required to “be thou faithful unto death, before Christ will give thee a crown of life” at the judgment following His 2nd coming.
As you read this article, have you discovered the inspired formula whereby one can live forever? Simply, be taught correctly, be born again, then remain faithful unto death. To be born again one must a) Hear the Word of God - Rom 10:17 b) Believe that Jesus Christ is the God’s Son - Acts 8:37 c) Repent of past sins – Acts 3:19 d) Confess before men that Jesus is the Son of God - Rom 10:9-10, and e) Be baptized into Christ - Acts 22:16. Then, once having been born again, strive to remain faithful. Do you want to live forever? You can’t do it in this realm, but you must prepare for it (eternity) now while in this life. Obey the gospel today and continually serve God faithfully in accordance to His N.T. Word before it’s too late.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
