Eternal Life by R. Hare

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 44.

Eternal Life.

By R. Hare

This is the boon, the priceless boon, that God has promised "to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality."

The fact that eternal life is given only "to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality," shows clearly that there will be a class who will not receive this gift, for all do not continue in well doing. Of the wicked man the prophet says: "Shall he then live? he shall not live; . . . he shall surely die." And the apostle says: "Ye know that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Then when we remember that the law of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and that hatred against a brother (Matt. 5:22) will bar our way to eternal life, the Master's declaration, "Few there be that find it," will not appear so circumscribed.

God will not force this priceless gift upon any. The theory of inherent immortality is as fabulous in its structure as the great lie on which it is built. "Ye shall not surely die," is the devil's statement, while God had declared, "Thou shalt surely die." If you have any doubts on the question, go to the grave-yard, and there read over ten thousand graves as many mournful attestations to the awful truthfulness of God's decision.

The crown of life is held out before us, an eternal prize, offered by the infinite God; no human mind can ever estimate its value. No mathematical calculation can ever determine its worth. None can by any means purchase it. It still remains, and will remain, God's free gift. He who left the glory-circled throne; he who trod the earth a stranger and died under its scorn; he who burst the fetters of the tomb and exclaimed with a voice that echoed through the hollow caverns of death, "I am alive forevermore," he declares, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish."

Yes, the crown of life is free, and Heaven is free to all; but the unholy shall never wear that crown nor walk the golden streets. James tells us the Lord has promised the crown of life to them that love him, and the scriptural definition of love is given by John, "This is love, that we walk after his commandments." 2 John 6. We are thus brought to the conclusion that only those who keep God's law can inherit eternal life; and from this conclusion springs another equally logical, that the "patient continuance in well doing" spoken of by Paul, the love of God set forth by John, and the Master's narrow way, are synonymous, and all focalize in the great principles of supreme love to God and equal love for our fellows.

Truly the way is narrow, truly it leads to life; and while many are flattering themselves in the possession of a boasted immortality, the voice that cannot err calls in awful warning, "Few there be that find it." R. HARE.