Make Life Happier-Make Eternity Certain
By Kenneth E. Thomas

I know of no one but who desires happiness here, and heaven when they die. At least that's what everyone who believes in life here after will affirm. Those who accept the fact that the soul of man survives the death of his body are all in agreement on this desired destiny. Some mistakenly believe that if they choose to submit to the will of Christ for their lives from then on, life will be a "bed of roses."Surely they have not read what Jesus said to His chosen Apostles nor what His apostles forewarned those whom they converted to Christ would be their lot in life. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter- in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me in not worthy of Me. He who finds his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:34-39).

Paul told Timothy "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Why would the "Prince of peace" foretell such problems for His followers even to divisions within the family circles? Simply because He knew that when the truth was preached it would not be accepted by the masses since truth calls for giving up some things that many are unwilling to give up. They would speak of the "one true God" and oppose idolatry with its many physical gratifications of the fleshly appetites. The morals taught in the religion of Christ call for "loving not this world" and for converts "not being conformed to the world" but "transformed by the renewing of the mind" (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:1-6). The religion of Christ is not a "live and let live" religion, it is intended to change society and turn converts to the morals of the God of all creation and His only begotten Son (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Acts 17:22-31). Riots were started in various places where the pure gospel of Christ was preached and attempts were often made on the lives of the apostles, evangelist, and other members of the body of Christ, because they stood opposed to moral corruption, homosexuality, adultery, greed, lying, stealing, etc., as well as false religions. They likewise attempted to turn the Jews from the law of Moses, to Christ's new law (Acts 2:22-38; 3:22-23; 6:8-7:60). Still:

There Was Great Joy Upon Being Converted To Christ

The first Christians among the converts from the Jewish system are spoken of in Acts chapter two as "Praising God and having favor with all the people..."(Acts 2:47). Peter who preached to this massive audience commanded the believers to "repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).To another audience of Jews to whom he preached the crucified, buried, resurrected and exalted Messiah he said, "repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19). In one passage this inspired Apostle said, "repent and be baptized..." and in a parallel passage he said "repent and be converted." This is proof positive that one isn't converted and then baptized. No, one isn't converted unless and until one has submitted to this the final act of the "new birth" of which Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in (John 3:3-5).

Later the apostle Paul spoke of how "God saves us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.."(Titus 3:5).Interestingly, these three passages all say the very same thing just in different words (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Titus 3:5). In addition to this, the same Apostle later wrote by divine inspiration: "...when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him" (1 Peter 3:20- 22).

When the early church was scattered by persecution (all but the apostles) "...went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).Philip when down to Samaria and preached concerning Christ and the kingdom and the record says there was "great joy in that city" (Acts 8:5-8).Luke went on to record the conversions of some to whom Philip preached including a former sorcerer named Simon (Acts 8:12-13). A little later in the same chapter we read of the conversion of the treasurer of queen Candace of Ethiopia to whom Philip was said to have "preached Christ unto Him" (Acts 8:35). When they came to a body of water the treasurer said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:26-39). The rejoicing came after the conversion culminating in his immersion in water you see. People who truly accept Jesus without reservation, are not only willing to live for Him, they are ready and willing if need be to die for Him, knowing that He alone is the source of salvation (Acts 4:10-12; John 14:1-6). Paul once stated that he was not only ready to be bound in service to Jesus but also to die if need be (Acts 21:13).In writing to the Philippian brethren Paul said, "But I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish, that I may gain Christ...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"(Philippians 3:8-14). Paul knew as did others that there will indeed be a resurrection of the dead "both the just and the unjust" for Jesus said so (John 5:28- 29; Acts 24:14-15; Matthew 25:46). What Paul meant was he desired to experience the resurrection and reward of the righteous.

With this kind of faith and hope in Christ, Paul and Silas could sing praises to the Lord at midnight in a jail after having been beaten severely and having been put in stocks (Acts 16:16-34). One thing even opposers of the religion of Christ must admit, Paul believed that his only hope for heaven was wrapped up in his faithfulness to Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:6-8). All who feel likewise are ready not only to live for Him but to die for Him if need be. Therefore we often sing in our assemblies such songs as "Faith of Our Fathers" in which one stanza suggest how wonderful it would be if we, like they, could die for Jesus! Following are the words of this wonderful old song: Can you sing it "...with the spirit and with the understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:15; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)?

1). "Faith of our fathers! living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; O how our hearts beat high--with joy When-e'er we hear that glorious word;

 Chorus: "Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee--till death!"

2). "Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; How sweet would be their children's fate, If they like them, could die for thee!"

Chorus: "Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee--till death!"

3). "Faith of our fathers! we--will love Both friend and foe in all--our strife; And preach thee too, as love knows how, By kindly words and virtuous life;

Chorus: "Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee--till death!" (Sacred Selections pg. 222 By Frederick W. Faber)

 If you dear reader cannot sing the above words from the heart, you do not as yet understand what true happiness really is. To be at one with one's creator is the greatest blessing ever entertained in the human heart! Can we like Paul sincerely say: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). If you cannot say the same as did the great Apostle Paul, the inward peace he knew cannot as yet be yours.

Jesus Spoke of The Happiness Kingdom Citizens Would Know

In what we know as "the sermon on the mount," which was preached by Jesus in anticipation of the "then coming kingdom, His church," He said:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you"(Matthew 5:3-12). The word "blessed" means "happy."Go back and read it again and supply the word "happy" every place you see "blessed" and see how it reads.

The peace and tranquility belonging to the faithful Christian isn't necessarily such outwardly, in fact even when things aren't going well at all for the Christian he still possesses what Paul called, "the peace that surpasses understanding" (Philippians 4:4-7). Think back to Paul and Silas in prison with backs lacerated no doubt, from the beating they had undergone, still being able to "sing praises to the Lord."We have numerous cases of folks being persecuted for righteousness sake who "rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for shame for his (Jesus) name" (Acts 5:41).
Actually adversity strangely enough has a refining action on the souls of those who withstand it without recanting. I have often used the "great barrier reef" in Australia were some of the most beautiful Coral is to be found as an example of how adversity has a way of enhancing the beauty of that Coral. It must fight every minute of every hour of every day for survival as the waves beat against the reef. Admittedly, this is where the most colorful Coral is to be found. Conversely, one may find Coral deposits in sheltered waters but one will note that in this environment it is not nearly as colorful and healthy looking. Why? Because it doesn't have to fight for survival! Read an illustration as we make the Biblical application of what adversity can do for the strengthening of the faith of men:

"...we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope"(Romans 5:3-4). And "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect complete (mature full grown ket), lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4). Of course it depends on the kind of heart one possesses how one reacts to adversity. Hearts are like butter and clay when put out in the sun. Butter will melt and clay will harden. In the parable of the "sower and the soils"in Luke eight and Matthew thirteen, only a certain kind of soil (heart) was conductive to believing, obeying, and bearing fruit unto eternal life. The "honest and good heart" (Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15).

"Making eternity certain" doesn't mean that once one is saved by "obeying the gospel" (1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), that one is "home free," or cannot be lost. It simply means that we can confidently trust in the promises of God that if we continue to "walk in the light" of divine revelation we may maintain our relationship to deity and enjoy the fellowship along with others provided"in Christ" and in His blood bought body, the church (1 John 1:1-8; Ephesians 1:3, 2:13-16; 2 John 9-10). We are made righteous by forgiveness in the blood of Jesus, and we remain righteous by continual cleansing in the blood of Jesus as we "repent, confess, and pray"each day (1 John 1:9; Acts 8:22).

That we may know where we stand with the Lord is made obvious by such admonitions as Paul gave when he said, "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith. Prove your own selves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disqualified" (2 Corinthians 13:5)? This same thought is set forth by Paul in writing to the Philippian brethren as he admonished them to continued obedience. "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Peter on the birthday of the Lord's church told alien sinners to "...save yourselves from this crooked generation"(Acts 2:40). Here some who had "saved themselves by obeying, were admonished to continue to obey and that such obedience would indeed have a bearing on their soul's salvation.

Paul told the brethren that entering into that eternal kingdom of Christ at last was dependent on undergoing much tribulation. He had just preached at Derbe and then returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:20-22). If you will read the greater context where these passages I have chosen to use are found, you will see that Paul had been stoned and left for dead outside the city of Lystra but that he arose and went back into that same city to "preach Christ." Could or would you and I be so strong in the faith?

Once Peter affirmed to Jesus that he (and the other Apostles) have "left all and followed You." I suppose he wanted to know what they would receive for this dedication to Him! Jesus then taught the following: "Assuredly, I say to you, there is none who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30).

As children of God, disciples of Jesus, what is mine is yours, we'll share it. The early disciples "had all things common." When assisting their brethren required it they sold land and houses to see to the needs of their brethren. Paul spoke of Rufus' mother as his own even though they were no blood kin (Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32-37; Romans 16:13).

Paul lived "in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began" (Titus 1:2). To the Romans he said "we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance" (Romans 8:24- 25).

As an old "soldier of the cross" of Christ, late in his troubled life, he wrote to Timothy encouraging him "..be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous just, will give me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:5-8). Having a promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come sustained Paul and many others not nearly so well known as he down through the ages. It can likewise be yours and mine if we have "obeyed the gospel" and if we will "be faithful unto death" (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 1:22-25;1 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10).

In the last book of the New Testament we are informed in language too clear to be misunderstood that man does indeed have a part in his own eternal destiny and that this is connected with man's response to the gospel of the grace of God by submitting to the same. "...Blessed (happy ket) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on, "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them"(Revelation 14:13). See (James 1:18-25; 2:14-26). Remember that we are as penitent believers to be "baptized into Christ" (Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 2:22-38).

In Revelation 22:14 the writer John said; "Blessed (happy ket) are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."If you aren't as yet a recipient of the grace of God through obeying the "gospel of the grace of God," (Acts 20:24; Galatians 1:6; Philippians 1:7), why not give us a call and let us assist you in your obedience to Christ? If you are a wayward member of the body of Christ why not return through repentance and confession of your sins? Call either the office at 1 (309) 347-3582 or my home 1 (309) 347-5645.