LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE

1st Tim. 6: 6-12, 1st John 2:15

 Our Christian faith is been likened to a battle, race, conflict that must be fought and won. It is wisdom to make conscious efforts to win. But before a man can make the decision to lay hold on eternal life and fight this good fight, he must first have answered the call of the Father to SALVATION ( that is, when the Lord saves the soul of that man). This decision has nothing to do with your grammar, wealth, education, the world and all in it, but it has ALL to do with the Word of God.

           Godliness with contentment is really a GREAT GAIN as when you are godly, you will have no pleasure in the things of the ungodly and therefore will be contented with all your Master has laid into your hands. Remember that when you are satisfied with a thing, you will see no reason to feel depressed. But, you cannot love the world and love Jesus at the same time. You are either for one or the other - No man can serve two masters except they agree. John tells us to...“love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him”. And Apostle James also explained saying, “...ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of world is the enemy of God”. Ask yourself a quick question: Am I a friend of God? After everything you do day in and out, ask yourself if you are still His friend; always do this to be in check. For if you begin to love and follow the world and begin even to delight in her ways, then you are an enemy of God.

             There are three powers controlling the world in our current day and all three has been in existence since the beginning of time. It was also of it that man's first parents fell. These three can be seen in 1 John 2:15-17 and they are; Lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and pride of life. I tell you today, that all of these are not from the Father above; but from the father of all liars, sin and wickedness, the devil. But whose child are you? OR rather, Who is your father? Remember that this same old vile serpent destroyed man's hope of never tasting death when he introduced these satanic tools in his mission. By them, he destroyed man's sacred communion with God and made us sinners.

           Being discontented is an attitude of the unregenerated man. Notice that when some people are discontented, they may go to any length just to get the so-called peace, happiness and desire they yearn for and might even in that process lose their relationship with God, their soul( to hell while still loving)and even their life. Run from anyone who projects prosperity as a passport to heaven. Today, we see the doctrine of wealth and mammon taught and promoted on a daily basis in the church, keeping from the congregants the message which entails the need for their souls to prosper. Our life here on earth determines our end.

           Destruction or eternal rest is determined by who we lived for on this earth and what it was that we continually laid hold on while we still had our breath. We brought nothing to this world and it is certain that we will leave with nothing. Let us discard things that will not profit us after now and stick with this necessity: a pass into God’s kingdom, a place of eternal rest- LAYING HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. I am not saying money is not good, it is but let’s be careful and heed the warning of the scripture “for the love of money is the root of all evil”. Money is better a servant, than a master. And having money through legal means isn't a problem, but when you begin to love that money ( even though gotten through legal means) more than your God above, then there is a problem. We see how youths jeopardize their future in pursuit for money; young ladies venture into prostitution and some young boys into internet fraud. Grown men are not left out as some of them have taken to armed robbery, women kidnapping children for sale, and the list goes on and on. Let’s be extremely careful so as not to hold firm that which benefits only here on earth but has no eternal value. Instead let's Hold On To Eternal Life.

          As the Lord is shaking the heavens and the earth, nations and kingdoms; the hope of the world is falling--Isaiah 2:1-2. Don't forget Peter told us that, "...heaven and earth shall pass away, every element there in shall be dissolved and carried away into forgetfulness"--2 Pet. 3:10-14. Elements here means structures and even economic activities driven by technology and they  will all bow to the higher power of heaven- the scripture is being fulfilled. Be sure not to be taken unawares, read the hand writing on the wall and make amends where necessary-- Micah 4:1-2. In all of your dealings, do not forget eternal life. Haggai 2: 6-7

          A time is coming when your wealth will fail, your beauty will not defend you, even your works will not plead on your behalf, your life lived is what will come to play, but then, how exactly have you been living? Flee from every temptation, no matter how alluring it is- you can overcome. Paul told the Church in Corinth that, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”. His grace is sufficient; and His grace will see you through in Jesus Name!1 Corinthians 10:13.

           If we have been true to ourselves, we would know that Jesus is the best and surest foundation because with Him, you will live a beautiful life now and hereafter. If you decide to lead a life for yourself without Christ in it, it will profit you nothing-- Matthew 16:26. Believers, fight the battle of faith and flee from all forms of evil, reject the way that leads to hell. Every life style that procures the broad way: FLEE from it and enter in on the narrow way that leads to the life eternal-- Be among the few that finds it-- Galatians 5:1. Flee to His presence, dwell there every moment of your remaining time on earth- 1 Thessalonians 4:7

             Heaven is for the purified, ask the lord to purify you today- Ephesians 6:10, 1 John 3:1-3.

REMAIN RAPTURABLE!

PASTOR IG NWABUO