How Can We Be Worthy Of Eternal Life?
|
|
|
|
How Can We Be Worthy Of Eternal Life?
|
|
Chris: John, last week we were talking about the difference between taking in knowledge and actually knowing someone personally. Remember? John: Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, Chris, you kind of upset me. Just last month, after the events at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, I started putting 3 more hours per week into my field service. I’ve even been more diligent in reading the Watchtower lessons in advance so I’m more prepared at the meetings. And now you’re telling me that all this work won’t make me pleasing to Jehovah. Chris: That’s right, John. John: I can’t believe that! And what are you doing to please Jehovah? Chris: John, do you know that the bible teaches that we can’t earn our salvation? John: Sure, it’s a gift. Chris: But that’s exactly what you’re trying to do. You are relying on your good works and hard effort to merit eternal life. It’s not that way, John. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”. John: I know that verse. Are you one of those guys who think that you’re saved so now you can go around and do anything you want? Chris: No, John. I do good works because I’m saved, not to get saved. That’s the difference between you and me. I sense that you’re doing works in hope of someday obtaining eternal life from Jehovah. John: No Chris. Everything I do, I do because I love Jehovah and want to serve Him. If I continue to be faithful to the organization, He’ll consider me worthy someday. Chris: You’re contradicting yourself, John. In one breath you are saying that salvation is a gift that can’t be worked for, yet you are hoping to do enough works to be considered worthy. Do you know what grace is? John: Sure, it’s God’s undeserved kindness. Chris: Read Romans 11:5-6. John: “In this way, therefore, at the present season also a remnant has turned up according to a choosing due to undeserved kindness. Now if it is by undeserved kindness, it is no longer due to works; otherwise, the undeserved kindness no longer proves to be undeserved kindness.” Chris: Do you see that God’s grace and our works are mutually exclusive? You can’t have it both ways. All your works, as noble as they may be, won’t save you. John, I know I’m saved because I’ve repented of my sins and believed that Jesus died for me and rose from the dead. John: There you go. You’re one of those who think that you’re saved because you said a prayer or something. No way, Chris. Matthew 24:13 says, “But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved”. Chris: Are you going to endure to the end, John? John: I’m going to try. How about you? I don’t see you knocking on doors. Are you going to endure to the end? Chris: Sure am. John: That’s pretty cocky! You mean you know that you are saved and you will endure through Armageddon? Chris: That’s right. I know because I’m not relying on my power to endure. 1 Corinthians 1:8 says, “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ”. And Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory”. John: So, you’re saying all I have to do is believe and I’ll be saved. Is that right? Chris: John, who would you trust more, me or Jesus? John: Nothing personal, Chris, but I’d prefer Jesus any day. Chris: Good. So would I. Read John 5:24. John: “Most truly I say to YOU, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting life, and does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life.” Hmmm. I don’t recall seeing that verse before. I think I may remember the Society saying that this is for the 144,000. Chris: Look into it and we’ll talk next week. top of page |
|
|
