Having eternal life now vs. living eternally

[Gilligan]

Our resurrection is promised,

Of course it is. Everyone will be resurrected from the dead, whether we believe it or not. Some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt.

We're not rewarded with being saved in this life by repentance of dead works, but only the righteous doers of the word are rewarded with inheriting everlasting life at the resurrection of the dead.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Being saved in this life is by grace, being resurrected unto everlasting life is by reward.

Christians say we don't do works to be saved. Fine. We do them to be rewarded with the inheritance after the grave.

Salvation is by grace in this life, good. Inheritance is by reward unto everlasting life.

 

[Behold]

And, he that does good unto the end, is rewarded with the inheritance of living and dwelling with God forever.

Nonsense.

The issue with your self saving legalism, is that it denies the truth.
How so?
Well ... God says "all have sinned", so, unless your sin is dealt with by God, then you dont go to heaven.

This means that when you teach 'works are accepted" then you are denying the Cross as GOD's means to accept you..., as the Cross of Christ proves that your works are not accepted by God.

 

[Gilligan]

So long as we get there?
Treasures laid up that are never found?

You know the answer for that yourself. Since the inheritance is by reward, then it is only at the end of the race. No man receives the prize for half a race. It is as though we had not run at all.

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

If we do not endure unto the end, then we do not receive the reward of the righteous crown.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Being saved by one's own faith is wonderful in this life, and can make for a great life. But the inheritance is only by reward for the righteous:

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

No one is rewarded to inherit the kingdom of God, just for believing the Lord is God. He already knows that. The inheritance is only rewarded to them that do His word as our Lord and God.

We say we are saved by our faith, that is great, and we can fellowship in that all this life. And men can say they are justified without works as well, and not by reward. But the inheritance is only by reward of works.

 

[Gilligan]

Nonsense.

The issue with your self saving legalism, is that it denies the truth.
How so?
Well ... God says "all have sinned", so, unless your sin is dealt with by God, then you dont go to heaven.

This means that when you teach 'works are accepted" then you are denying the Cross as GOD's means to accept you..., as the Cross of Christ proves that your works are not accepted by God.

We're not saved by reward in this life. Amen.

Only inheriting the kingdom of God is by reward.

 

[Gilligan]

Good advice. Thanks.

It's the same for us all, if we are to be rewarded with inheritance of God's kingdom after this life.

This exhortation is so much simpler with greater effect on how we live, than endless debates about faith alone vs with works.

It's already working for me in my heart and life, since I understood the simplicity of it.

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Living godly is much better and far more rewarding, in this life and after the grave, than filling our minds with endlessly confusing endless debates. And it's the only thing that will matter, when we are judged by our deeds, not our doctrine.

 

[Behold]

Only inheriting the kingdom of God is by reward.

Jesus said that the "Kingdom of God is within you"...
And that is true as to become born again, as "the temple of the Holy Spirit", and to be "translated from Darkness ...to Light".......is the proof it's happened.

 

[Gilligan]

Nonsense.

Are you saying the inheritance of the kingdom of God is not by reward?

 

[Gilligan]

Jesus said that the "Kingdom of God is within you"...

True, but inheriting the kingdom of God, can only be with the resurrection of the righteous.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Inheriting the kingdom of God at this time, is only by prophecy and promise, to them that do His will and word of righteousness.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Are you saying you have already inherited the kingdom of God, while still in flesh and blood?

Or are you teaching you have already resurrected, to inherit the kingdom, that flesh and blood on earth cannot inherit?

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

[Behold]

Are you saying the inheritance of the kingdom of God is not by reward?

"reward" = "The Gift of Salvation".

Let me explain..


1 Corinthians 6. = Know ye not that THE UNRIGHTEOUS = shall not inherit the kingdom of God?


So, who are the "unrighteous"?

Its everyone who isn't born again., as only the born again have received "the GIFT of Salvation" which is "the GIFT of Righteousness".

 

[Behold]

True, but inheriting the kingdom of God, can only be with the resurrection of the righteous.

1 Corinthians 6. = Know ye not that THE UNRIGHTEOUS = shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

So, who are the "unrighteous"?

Its everyone who isn't born again., as only the born again have received "the GIFT of Salvation" which is "the GIFT of Righteousness".

THe born again have eternal life, and exist in the Kingdom of God. "In Christ". as 'one with God".

Let me show you.

"Jesus is the LIGHT of the World". "God exists IN LIGHT". The KOG is a spiritual Kingdom that is this LIGHT.

The born again are "CHILDREN OF......the LIGHT..... already.......having been "translated FROM darkness.......to LIGHT"..... which is why the born again are currently "seated in Heavenly places" "in Christ".... yet, we are in a body down here posting on a forum.

See that "Light" that God exists in and Jesus is THE Light of the World?
That is the KOG that exists within the born again..... This is to be "in Christ" as having the "inheritance"., as "the KOG is within you".. that is also the "earnest of our inheritance" that is "until the redemption of the purchased inheritance".

The born again are the "Purchased Inheritance", as the born again are ""bought with a price" that is the BLOOD OF JESUS....that is the NEW COVENANT..... and therefore the born again are the Heirs of God and the Joint heirs with Christ.

 

[Gilligan]

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

I've often wondered how any Christian could say the resurrection is past, and here we see one way of teaching it.

By saying we that have the kingdom of God by grace dwelling within us, we also have inherited the everlasting kingdom of God, which is only by being resurrection the dead unto everlasting life.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

This would certainly overthrow the faith of some to more ungodly living among the saints, who think they have already inherited are already good as resurrected unto the inheritance of everlasting life.

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

This is a heresy of a higher order, than just excusing sinning on earth. This is heresy specially condemned by Paul, to claim already having an eternal inheritance in this life, that flesh and blood cannot inherit on earth, but is only recieved by resurrection of the dead.

Some Christians are so fanatic about their own faith alone without works, that not only will they claim salvation and justification by their faith alone, but will also go on to claim arrived at the the resurrection and inherited the everlasting kingdom of Christ.

Why? Just to do away with not only, with any kind of works having to do with God's salvation, justification, But also to reject any reward of works to obtain the promised resurrection and inheritance of His kingdom forever.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ...

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

I used to think that the strong delusion sent by God to some today, was just being saved and justified by faith alone without works, but now we see a delusion I never imagined: They effectually teach the resurrection must be past, because they claim to have already inherited the everlasting kingdom of God, which is only by resurrection of the righteous.

We see now just how pernicious faith alone doctrine can be.

 

[Behold]

I've often wondered how any Christian could say the resurrection is past, and here we see one way of teaching it.

By saying we that have the kingdom of God by grace dwelling within us, we also have inherited the everlasting kingdom of God, which is only by being resurrection the dead unto everlasting life.

Listen more carefully.....

When Paul said he wanted to attain to the resurrection of the dead, he also said "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" where he is right now.
See if you can do that math, and come up with the answer.....if you believe he is still waiting to be "resurrected with all those who are asleep in Christ".

also......Its Pretersim and similar heresy that teaches that what is to come, has already occurred in the past.

And what you dont also understand is this...

"Jesus is THE Resurrection"..
See that?
Resurrection is not some obtuse idea . Its JESUS Himself who is "THE Resurrection".
So the born again have Resurrection inside, while waiting on the trip to the SKY.
See that?
So, to have Jesus in you, is to be born again....and this is the Resurrection both now and later.

Also The KOG is not some force field that exists as a separate planet next door to heaven.
It IS God and Christ....They are the KOG.....and that is why to have this....>"Christ in you, the hope of GLORY">.. (Glory is Heaven) is to possess the KOG already.
The Born Again exist as "seated in Heavenly places in Christ"......right now...... not just "after the resurrection".

So, you need to understand what im showing you, so that you can understand the inheritance as both now and later, inside of the born again, and yet the later blessing of inheritance, also.

 

[Gilligan]

"reward" = "The Gift of Salvation".

And so, now you find yourself having to say the gift of salvation is a reward. Being saved is by reward. You must do so, in order to not break Scripture, that says our eternal inheritance is by reward.

I have often seen, that we must go to Scripture to actually prove what all people of common sense already know, in order to counter the efforts of some false teachers. The reason being that are willing to leave all sense behind, in order to cling to their errors of faith.

Reward is now no more reward, but is now a gift. And gift is no more gift, but is now a reward. Natural meaning of words is now done away with.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

God only speaks of 'reward' in Scripture, as for deeds done, the works of our hands, for services rendered, etc... and never as a 'gift'. Both God and all people with sense know what a reward is, and what it is for. Even children know they don't get rewards for doing nothing. This kind of changed meaning of words, is worse than 'participation' awards.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

The reward is the inheritance by resurrection of the righteous, at the coming again of the Lord. Claiming that reward today as a gift with salvation, denies three immutable truths of Scripture:

1. The flesh and blood can now inherit the kingdom of God.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2. That the Son of man has already come again in His glory, to give the reward of the inheritance to the saints on earth.

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

3. That the reward of inheritance by the resurrection of the just, is past.

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Some Christians will go to any length to preach their gospel of faith alone without works, even so far as to say that their salvation is now by reward.

 

[ScottA]

Having eternal life within us by Christ today, is not having everlasting life with God forever. Living and walking with God today, is not living and dwelling with God forever.

There's first a resurrection of the dead in between. And being resurrected bodily unto living eternally with God, is not by grace, but by reward.

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Being saved in this life is not a reward for works, but being resurrected with inheritance of God, is only by reward of works.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

And, he that does good unto the end, is rewarded with the inheritance of living and dwelling with God forever.

Your take on things is somewhat jumbled, even suggesting things that are not so.

To the contrary, because the clock of this world does not stop at salvation with those who are "alive and remain" in the world after receiving eternal life, does not mean that eternity has not begun that very day it is received. It is a unique thing to walk in the flesh while also walking in the spirit. Even so, the former does not define the latter.

Thus, there is no "in between" regarding the first resurrection. Technically speaking, one might better refer to that time as an "overlap" of eternity over time remaining in the world. But even that is not technically true, as the "image" of creation unto death does not actually remain a stain upon new life in Christ in God, but is a mere image from which one passes from one to the other: Darkness does not exist within the light of God. Therefore, do not confuse the language given to those who are dead regarding life, as actually a "promise" yet fulfilled, for it is indeed fulfilled, and it is only the "image" that remains, which is not in heaven, but only in the world. The "promise" is not given to the living, but to the dead and those who slumber. Much of what you referred to was spoken in that context.

 

[Gilligan]

1 Corinthians 6. = Know ye not that THE UNRIGHTEOUS = shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

So, who are the "unrighteous"?

Its everyone who isn't born again., as only the born again have received "the GIFT of Salvation" which is "the GIFT of Righteousness".

THe born again have eternal life, and exist in the Kingdom of God. "In Christ". as 'one with God".

Let me show you.

"Jesus is the LIGHT of the World". "God exists IN LIGHT". The KOG is a spiritual Kingdom that is this LIGHT.

The born again are "CHILDREN OF......the LIGHT..... already.......having been "translated FROM darkness.......to LIGHT"..... which is why the born again are currently "seated in Heavenly places" "in Christ".... yet, we are in a body down here posting on a forum.

See that "Light" that God exists in and Jesus is THE Light of the World?
That is the KOG that exists within the born again..... This is to be "in Christ" as having the "inheritance"., as "the KOG is within you".. that is also the "earnest of our inheritance" that is "until the redemption of the purchased inheritance".

The born again are the "Purchased Inheritance", as the born again are ""bought with a price" that is the BLOOD OF JESUS....that is the NEW COVENANT..... and therefore the born again are the Heirs of God and the Joint heirs with Christ.

I am glad you believe you have these things in this life, as do I.

That is in this life by grace, and none of it speaks of the reward of inheriting the everlasting kingdom of Christ by resurrection of from the dead.

Are you saying you have already inherited the kingdom of God, while still being flesh and blood on earth?

You can continue on with your faith alone salvation and justification in this life, which is fine by me, but I'll have to take your non-answer as your answer.

 

[Behold]

And so, now you find yourself having to say the gift of salvation is a reward. Being saved is by reward.

Im just responding to your posts.

also, ive not stated that being saved is the reward..... i posted the verse that says the reward is the inheritance, and then i explained the KOG, and also The Resurrection.

The Born again are the reward that was gained by the Cross of Christ.......
The Born again are Christ's Inheritance..... He purchased the Born again with His Blood.

Also....

“In him we have obtained an inheritance”

"Him" is Jesus

"IN Him" is to be 'in Christ". born again..

And "OBTAINED" the inheritance is by being "One with God"......already = born again...."seated in Heavenly places". "in Christ"

 

[Gilligan]

Your take on things is somewhat jumbled, even suggesting things that are not so.

To the contrary, because the clock of this world does not stop at salvation with those who are "alive and remain" in the world after receiving eternal life, does not mean that eternity has not begun that very day it is received. It is a unique thing to walk in the flesh while also walking in the spirit. Even so, the former does not define the latter.

Thus, there is not "in between" regarding the first resurrection. Technically speaking, one might better refer to that time as and "overlap" of eternity over time remaining in the world. But even that is not technically true, as the "image" of creation unto death does not actually remain a stain upon new life in Christ in God, but is a mere image from which one passes from one to the other: Darkness does not exist within the light of God. Therefore, do not confuse the language given to those who are dead regarding life, as actually a "promise" yet fulfilled, for it is indeed fulfilled, and it is only the "image" that remains, which is not in heaven, but only in the world. The "promise" is not given to the living, but to the dead and those who slumber. Much of what you referred to was spoken in that context.

Nice doctrine, I'm sure.

The rewarded inheritance of the everlasting kingdom of Christ, is only by the resurrection of the dead.

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Are you saying you have already inherited that promised inheritance, while still in flesh and blood on earth?

You can continue with your interesting doctrine about time and eternity, but at this time on earth, if you don't answer the simple question, then I'll take that as you answer.

 

[Behold]

You can continue on with your faith alone salvation and justification in this life, which is fine by me, but I'll have to take your non-answer as your answer.

"non answer"?

That's a dishonest statement.

See, The members will read the BOOK i just wrote to you, in a few posts, as the "answer".

 

[Behold]

What is living eternally vs having eternal life...

Well.,

We are spirit beings who live in a body.
our "spirit" is eternal.

To have "eternal life" is to be spiritually joined to Jesus, by being born again.
How is this to have eternal life?
Its to become joined spiritually by "new birth" to the ONE who Himself is Eternal Life.

Everyone lives for eternity, but only the born again have Eternal Life 'In Christ"... before their body dies.

Unbelievers, have 2nd Death, as their eternal life, having rejected Eternal Life who is Jesus The Lord.

 

[ScottA]

Are you saying you have already inherited that promised inheritance, while still in flesh and blood on earth?

You can continue with your interesting doctrine about time and eternity, but at this time on earth, if you don't answer the simple question, then I'll take that as you answer.

One does not actually pass from death to life with a time "in between." Time is an illusion biblically eluded to as an "in the image." The image in the mirror is not real--even if many in the image are last to know it.

Thus, when one passes from death to life--that is the first resurrection, and indeed, the only resurrection--each only referring to two separate aspects of the one resurrection according to the terms of this world as opposed to those of the kingdom of God, wherein there is but one resurrection, which is that resurrection of Christ, in whom all are resurrected. Which is only referred to as two, for the distinction that exists between the dead in Christ and the living in Christ.

So, even the context of your question, being according to the would-be terms of this world, is the point of confusion. When in the reality of God, dead is dead, and alive is alive--and no in between. But, sure, shrouded within the darkness of the times and terms of this world, you are not wrong in receiving the explanation in the terms it has been given. But...if our worldly ways are to decrease and His heavenly ways are to increase, if knowledge is to increase, if we are actually to be lead unto all truth and the perfection of God in whom there is no darkness...it is actually as I have stated it.