Bible Study Letters Online Tracts

[ Words to the hymn, Everlasting Life! ] [ Bottom of Page ]

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I present a message that tells of Peace with God. My statement of faith will show the application of what I believe. My hope is the viewer will find this a practical and useful study tool.

My aim is to present the Bible as it is to men as they are. The Bible tells about our great salvation. I find no man that is more worthy of hell than I was, though our sins might differ and some sins are more grievous. The sins are vile in God's eye, and it is only by mercy He would save any. Those sins are a reflection of what we are. I am grateful to have been called from a life of sin and to be spared from the wrath of God. The sins cannot be separated from us but by the blood of Christ.

Psalm 138:2 tells us, I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  

With that in mind, it seems expedient to me to give heed to what is written in that Book.

Salvation is a free gift to us, that Christ has died for. We enter into New Life (Christ in you, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27), not a result of our works, for our works would damn us. We have fallen short of the glory of God. By His grace He saves us, apart from our works. When we have entered into New Life (Christ in you, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27 ) we have good works that we are to be doing, before ordained of God that we should walk in them, but before we are saved all that we do is based on our enmity of God, and being without faith their is nothing we do that pleases God. Good works are a result of, and not causal to salvation. Good work does not save, or keep us saved, but is the fruit of the Spirit, manifested by a believer following the Lord. The believer is the one in which the Spirit is bringing forth fruit. The believer is told go and bear much fruit (Luke 13:9; John 8:31; 15:4,16; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 5:22-26; Colossians 1:27; 2:6-10).

Before a person is born again, they are active at resisting Christ and would not come to the Lord (John 3:3, 5; 6:44; 1Pet 2:4), but after the new birth, one is active in Coming to Christ, because they have new desires and new understanding, a new view (John 9:25,39). The grace of God actually brings salvation to the sheep, and does not merely try to bring salvation. God is not passive in our coming to faith but instead our Lord is active in salvation (John 6:37-39,44; 15:5). 

Fallen man is worthy of the wrath of God. The Lord is worthy to be feared. Our Lord hates workers of iniquity (Psalm 5:5). Yet God in His great mercy has chosen to save some. I surely believe that Christ has a particular people that He died for, and that those people shall certainly be saved. Yet no man will be saved apart from believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith is in us by the operation of God. Those that believe have the testimony in themselves, and faith is the gift of God (John 6:28-29; Acts 18:27; Romans 3:22; 10:17; 12:3; Galatians 2:16,20; 5:22; Ephesians 1:19; 2:8; Philippians 1:29; Hebrews 12:2), wrought in man by the operation of God. If you reject Christ it is of your own mind, you counting yourself unworthy of eternal life. 

Those that are given to the Son are called out by the preaching of the Gospel- Christ died for our sins, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead. The Father draws such as shall be saved to the Son, and those were chosen before the foundation of the earth. The Father elected, the Son redeems those the Father elected, and the Holy Ghost regenerates those the Son redeemed. Repent and believe the gospel. Christ died for your sins, if you only believe. Those that believe have the testimony in themselves, and that faith is the gift of God. 

Not one shall come to Lord Christ unless the Father draws them. Be sure many turn away at this point, some thinking to come some other way. Even in Scripture it is shown those that did not believe turned away when told of this truth: 

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:64-66) 

Consider man's action toward the gospel in coming to Christ. We must compare man's will with election and predestination. I think it was Spurgeon said they run as ribbons parallel, and that it may be in the far future they will in some way join. 

To quote C. H. Spurgeon, "[God] goes to the secret fountain of the heart, and He knows how, by some mysterious operation, to turn the will in an opposite direction, so that, as Ralph Erskine paradoxically puts it, the man is saved "with full consent against his will;" that is, against his old will he is saved. But he is saved with full consent, for he is made willing in the day of God's power. Do not imagine that any man will go to heaven kicking and struggling all the way against the hand that draws him. Do not conceive that any man will be plunged in the bath of a Saviour's blood while he is striving to run away from the Saviour. Oh, no. It is quite true that first of all man is unwilling to be saved. When the Holy Spirit hath put His influence into the heart, the test is fulfilled: "draw me and I will run after thee" (Song Sol. 1:4). We follow on while He draws us, glad to obey the voice which once we had despised."

For the sake of making my position clear consider this, I am not an adherent of what some term man's free-will. But I will make stress of the actions of man. The doctrines of grace have been dear to me since I was saved. I embrace what are sometimes termed doctrines of God's sovereign grace, and of necessity I have also found cause to make mention of the human element. 

I do not promote tossing aside the human element. Many have made a decision they were elected, and with that seem to find a bed of ease as they harbor ungodliness. 

When one comes to Christ, they will walk a different walk after. Yet what is it when the most noticeable difference is an emphasis placed on being elect? This is where the human element will be displayed. If one has come to Christ they will walk different after.

Having embraced election and predestination one might very well refuse Christ, using election as a substitute. A lost person can very well embrace election and predestination and have no part with Christ. I've found some proud of their knowledge of the doctrines of election and predestination but yet I wondered what they had done with Christ.

I don't reject the doctrines of election and predestination, and so do no harm to the doctrines of grace. God's Amazing Grace is most precious to me. I am prepared to argue for the doctrines of predestination and election, but honestly do not enjoy debate. One thing I will say, if I had not been chosen, and that before the foundation of the earth, I would yet be in my sin. There is no doubt with me that He chose to save me from my sin. The witness within is that I am saved (1Thess 1:4; 2Tim 1:9-10; Rom 8:16; 9:25).

Be certain He made me willing to receive Christ, and not just facts about election and predestination. 

Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are displayed with the gospel. From the human side, one must believe with the heart and then confession will be made, that being the result of the Holy Ghost's work of regeneration. Our responsibility is also demonstrated by the need to proclaim the Word. It pleased God to use the preaching of the Word. God's sovereignty is shown in that He must open the understanding and He must give faith. He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth (Romans 9:16). The instrument of revealing so great a salvation is the preached Word, but the power is of God, not by devices invented and used by a preacher.

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

To one, the gospel is foolishness, and to another it is the power of God unto salvation. It is not the responsibility of the one preaching the Word to secure results, but the results are brought forth according to God's sovereignty, wrought by His power. Results should be desired by men preaching, but the responsibility to bring forth results is in the realm of God's divine sovereignty, and not tricks by preachers. Only God can give faith, and that faith is accomplished initially by regeneration.

There is no other way. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Salvation is according to our Lord's terms, and He is the Great Sovereign. 

Psalm 5:5; Psalm 19:9; Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 33:14; John 3:15-18, 36; John 6:44-45; John 15:15-19; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-5; Philippians 3:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

I believe that Jesus is a Savior that completely saves. Jesus reaches down and in mercy takes us into His Hand. While we were yet sinners. He gives us a new heart, and Eternal Life. While many times in the life of a believer it might seem that we are left to wander alone and unloved, but Christ loved us while we were yet sinners, and loves us with an everlasting love. It might seem that we are the ones that reach out to Him and make our way up to Him, and be clear apart from personal faith you shall perish, but He is the one that has sought us out. Such love that God would love sinners such as us. The Bible tells us so. Jesus loves us. We love Him, because He first loved us. He changes our life, and in fact gives us New Life (Christ in you, the hope of glory). In light of that, walking in the light we have a desire toward good works. We are safe and secure in the Hand of Jesus (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1; Colossians 1:27).

There are two kinds of repentance I will mention. First, there is repentance where we are sorry for our actions as we know our actions cause much grief, and make us worthy of God's wrath. This is little more than selfish regret on our part as our heart or purpose in life has not really changed. Men are sometimes remorseful due to the consequence of his sins, that is with worldly sorrow, that works death. With that worldly sorrow, salvation is not promised. Such that start out to live life right, and fall away, simply have never been saved. Such that fall away and end up in hell are simply not saved. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.

The second type repentance is with godly sorrow, where we are sorry we have offended our Lord. With that we count Him worthy of honor, and through that process we are drawn to Jesus (John 6:44). With this we are left with a new understanding of sin, death and judgment. Salvation is promised to all that come to Jesus. This is when we know we are in the Hand of Jesus. Being sorrowful after a godly way at having offended a holy God brings repentance and Life and that repentance is the gift of God, by grace granted to us (Acts 3:19; 2Cor 7:10; Eze 36:26; Zec 12:10; 2Tim 2:25-26; James 1:16-17).

Christ has died for the sins of His people (Matt 1:21; John 10:11,15), those given Him by the Father (John 17:6,12,22; 18:9), purchasing salvation (Rom 5:11; 2Cor 5:18-19; Col 1:21). And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only but those chosen of every tribe and nation and family . (1John 2:2) We are told in Scripture that He loves His own and gives us New Life. This is Life Everlasting (John 6:47; 11:26). We cannot be snatched from the Hand of Jesus and He will never cast us off. Christ has died for our sins. Change the terms and it is not the same. Have you received Christ?  Do you believe this?

Clear up the matter, faith is a gift of God, and so is repentance. Our calling on Him and believing is a result of the repentance and faith that has been granted us. We love Him because He first loved us. John 3:16 says, 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. Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Everlasting life is everlasting life.

John 3:16 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.

And consider what Romans 10:9-10 says,

Romans 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Further the clear statement of Scripture is,

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Look on the excellence of the One that that promised for the certainty of salvation, and not on your own frailty. Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. It is not how strong our faith is, but how strong the One is that has promised. 

Look to Christ, and cast off doubts about the strength of your faith. It is Christ that saves. Our salvation is not based on our strength. Salvation is of the Lord, and Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The one with the weakest faith that trusts in Christ is every bit saved. Jesus saves.

As it is written, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

We are begotten by the preaching of the Gospel. That preaching reveals to the hearer the result of having been born again. (2Tim 2:25-26; 1Cor 4:15; Rom 1:16; 10:17; 1Cor 1:18-24; 2:2; 15:1-4; 2Cor 2:14-16; 2Tim 1:8; 1Pet 1:23; 1:3-5)

The message of salvation is to be preached to every creature. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Your belief is evidence of election. Make your calling and election sure. Prove all things.

2Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

We that are saved are Kept by the Power of God (1Pet 1:5). Praise God for His gift. Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead the third day. He that has Resurrection power is the One that Keeps us. 

It is within the scope of salvation to know, to trust that we have been saved. By personal examination we can see that evidence of New Life. As we look at others, by a gracious judgement we can trust that they are saved. We shall know them by their fruit.

Be aware when looking on another we only see the part, and God is seeing the whole picture. It is not for us to always know who will be saved. How terrible I think it would be to know the ones that were to burn in hell. Hope always for their salvation, for salvation is of the Lord. There is no need to give them false hope, and further, they shall not be sure while called and deceived by a false gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). Be faithful to the Word of God. As well, don't count all words they use, or consider the small part of their life you see as evidence they are reprobate. Some have not the knowledge of God because of the life of believers. On the other side of that, not all are saved. Just because one says they are saved does not make them a Christian, any more than walking into McDonald's makes them a hamburger. Realize salvation is of the Lord and His Blood can wash the foulest clean. Some saying they are believers live more like they are an unbeliever than many unbelievers live. There is no place for such a one that continues to live ungodly or that rejects clear teaching they see from Scripture to have confidence that they are saved. In fact, they might not be saved. My conviction is we are not to pass judgment now on the particular ones as to whether or not they will or will not be saved in the end. We are however able to see what they live like and hear what they believe. 

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19-20).

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Believing Jesus reached out to me and has secured my salvation, I remain confident that He which has begun a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Jesus completely saves.

I am confident it is safe to trust the Scriptures as they are written. The words in the KJV are linked to a word in the Received Text, and those words added for clarification are clearly identified by being written in italics. The King James itself is Received Text. The KJV has been scrutinized for about 400 years and is found a translation worthy of trust. Any supposed error in the Word of God is only the error of not understanding by the one thinking there is error. There is no verifiable error of fact proven.

My hope is that you are inclined to look carefully at the things I have written.

I know Whom I have believed, and am confident he is able to keep me by His power. He has changed my heart and given me New Life. Life, Life, Eternal Life! I praise Him for that and find no place to boast on my own merits. My own righteousness, which is of the law, is not what makes me saved, or keeps me saved.

Our Lord has reached out and given me everlasting life. I trust Him. Jesus addressed the disciples after they were clearly told about being chosen and coming to the Son:

John 6:65-71
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

The Father gives us to the Son, and that is the simple truth from Scripture. We are changed, a new creation, when we are saved. There was a time when I was in the world, without faith and without hope, not having the Spirit or the Son. But by Love God sought me out. I was called by the preaching of the Gospel, the power of God unto Salvation.

Salvation is of the Lord without the works of the law, or any good works before we are saved, and works after we are saved do not keep us saved, for we are saved eternally. Christ is the Savior by Grace, with Works Resulting In, and Not Causal to Salvation. Jesus Saves! (Gal 3:3; Rom 11:6)

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Without repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, none shall be saved. Those of faith believe because they were ordained to eternal life, and therefore have been given faith by the operation of God. God has a chosen people. Those are brought to faith, by the operation of God. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We believe because we were ordained to eternal life. It is God that makes all the difference, for God is active and fully alone instrumentally in giving us new life.  Eternal life is given to those the Father has given to the Son.

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Repentance and faith are evidence of the new birth, and are evidence of our having been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the earth. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Christ died for our sins. After we are believers we do not keep ourselves saved.

1 Timothy 6:3-8
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The one that is saved will persevere to the end when they will at last see Jesus, that without sin. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He saves us and He keeps us saved. John 6:44 tells us, No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him. The passage says no man is able, unless drawn by the Father. John 6:37 tells us, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Why does one call on the name of the Lord and another does not? Our coming to Christ is not a result of a head knowledge, a result of simply learning some facts. Many will call Him, "Lord, Lord," yet not be saved. 

Luke 6:43-49
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. 

Yet one that shall call on the name of the Lord in faith, coming to Christ, casting themselves on Christ shall certainly be saved. Of ones own decision, that by informed consent (John 6:45; Hebrews 11:6), with the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit imparting faith we are saved. More simply stated, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Apart from having faith, that by the operation of God (Col 2:12), none can come to Christ. As it is written, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him (John 6:44).

Matthew 7:21
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

What is the Father's will? That all He gives the Son shall come to Him. Jesus says, For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 6:35-44
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Lord Jesus will receive all that come to Him. Our duty, to proclaim to all, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) should not be neglected. Not one person that comes to Christ will be turned away. 

Salvation is not based on finding some obscure formula of works or so called acts of grace I am to perform or have others perform on me, but Salvation is of the Lord. I simply believe and have the witness within, i.e., Colossians 1:27

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

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Words to the hymn,
Everlasting Life
[ Top of Page ]
Words & Music:
William Augustine Ogden (1841-1897)

Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
(John 6:47)

"Everlasting life!" is the promise given unto them
Who love the Savior dear.
"Everlasting life!" and a home in heaven,
If you will believe His Name.

Then believe Him! O receive Him!
Blessed Savior, kingly favor.
Give Him ever best endeavor,
For with Him is everlasting life!

"Everlasting life!" shout it far and wide,
Blessed tidings of salvation free.
"Everlasting life!" through His blood applied,
To the sinner in his woe.

Then believe Him! O receive Him!
Blessed Savior, kingly favor.
Give Him ever best endeavor,
For with Him is everlasting life!

"Everlasting life!" you have nothing to do but to take
The words He gives you now.
"Everlasting life!" precious gift for you,
Through the Savior crucified.

Then believe Him! O receive Him!
Blessed Savior, kingly favor.
Give Him ever best endeavor,
For with Him is everlasting life!

§

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