SEEKING FOR ETERNAL LIFE by J. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 2, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 48

SEEKING FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

By J. Clarke

BY J. CLARKE.

“To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”

Of what value would the gift of eternal life and immortality be to one who was not prepared to appreciate it, nor fitted for the society of holy beings? or of what value would the gift of immortality be to us, if we were to be always in a world like this, where wicked men and devils hold almost full sway? or of what value would the gift of eternal life be to the wicked, unless it be to increase their power for evil? A little reflection will show to any one that it is well for man, on the whole, that the gift of eternal life is conditional, and that it is a merciful arrangement that man in his fallen probationary state is mortal.

Those who seek for eternal life are taught in the word of God that no unholy person will attain to this gift; none but the pure in heart will see God. This is what makes immortality and eternal life of such priceless value that all those who obtain it will be fitted to receive it. The holy character of all the redeemed ones will fit them to be citizens of heaven, where all will be peace and harmony. This could not be unless they had been previously fitted for their entrance to that blissful abode.

Another thing that will make eternal life of priceless value is that God himself and all the inhabitants of heaven are holy and therefore agreeable in the highest and noblest sense of the word. There will be no mistakes, no wrongs, no evil words, to mar the pure joys of the heavenly family above. There will be no old feuds to discuss, no base slanders to publish, no rings to combine. There will be no need of reformers to prove that sin is sin, that error is error, and that truth is truth; for all will be of one heart and one mind. Here it is often urged that a variety of sects is necessary that all may be accommodated; that idea will not prevail in heaven.

It is on account of such considerations that we value eternal life. Immortality conferred upon a wicked man, he to so remain, would be the heaviest curse that could be pronounced upon him; but to the righteous, it is the greatest of all gifts, because that life is to be a holy and happy one, because it is to be bestowed at the ushering in of the coming kingdom of our Lord. Just at the proper time the righteous arise glorified, many of them having slept during the dense moral night of our race. What a mercy it has been to Adam that all the evils which have befallen our race have been unknown to him while he has peacefully slept.

From such considerations, we see that eternal life has a value not to be compared to anything else within our limited sphere of thought.

We look over the price lists, but eternal life is not there; it is not to be had for gold, it is not to be bought at any price, it is the gift of God. Rom. 6:23. A conditional gift, yet how few desire it! A few have an occasional wish of this kind, and still fewer long for it, hunger and thirst for this gift of eternal life, to be bestowed at the coming of our Lord. How shall we obtain it? Paul says it is “by patient continuance in well-doing.” Surely that is a very good and reasonable condition,—patient continuance in well-doing. It is the gift of God, free on condition that we patiently continue in well-doing. This seems an easy and an agreeable task; and so it is to those who are like Paul. However, when we consider the subject, we find it a very comprehensive expression,—“well-doing.” To continue patiently in well-doing cost Paul hard lodgings on prison floors, keen disappointments, severe scourgings, and finally, his life.

To continue patiently in well-doing supposes that such a course is well begun, and that we have only to keep on; but it may be that in many cases those who read this text may measure it by too low a standard. The Roman Catholic priest may say to his charge, “Continue in well-doing, and all will be well;” and so his audience will use the sign of the cross and obey the Church, and thus be deluded. We may well take sure footing here. Well-doing is a comprehensive expression; and to fathom Paul’s meaning, we should study his writings faithfully, and not only his but all the word of God. Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. 1:21. Many of the professed churches are setting aside what holy men of old wrote; but if we would begin a life of well-doing, we need all left for us to read, as it is set forth in our Bibles. It is plain; no one who reads need be deceived.

To continue in a course of well-doing is to continually grow in grace. It is to watch and pray always. It is to keep the heart with all diligence, to take up every cross. It is to devote to God our means as well as ourselves. It is to be a Christian in all the relations of life. It is to bear injury not only patiently but cheerfully. It is to bear the same relation to Christ that the branch does to the vine. These are but a few of the general rules laid down in the word of God. To apply them to our daily lives, is the great problem. And we are told in God’s word that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6. We do well always to remember to ask help of God, who can and will give us the victory.

Great will be the reward of those who seek in a proper way for immortality,—eternal life. That reward is close at hand. We have looked for Him to come, but he has in mercy given us a little more time than we anticipated, or we would have failed to be in readiness. Let us patiently continue without discouragement, though it may be in trials without, and fears within. And if we get in doubt, let us be sure to come out on that side farthest from evil, and nearest the good.