John 3:36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life… I. LIFE ETERNAL IN THIS WORLD. 1. It has its origin here. It is not death, but regeneration — that is the entrance gate to it. He begins to live the same life as he will live in heaven — only that here he is in a state of childhood, and many are the childish things which he does. 2. It is nourished here. God has promised food for it; He has stewards to furnish it with nourishment in due season; and the cupboard and larder is open for it to help itself whenever it likes. The food contained in the Bible is the produce of its native country, and it will not look well unless it will feed often on this. 3. It is trained here for its home. It is away from home here, in an ungenial climate and a strange land. It is not to be wondered at if at times it appears to be weak and feeble; it must do so if it remain long in the unhealthy atmosphere of this world. There is something tender, yet strong, about it. It is too strong ever to die, but it is tender enough to appear sickly. II. LIFE ETERNAL IN THE WORLD TO COME. 1. It will be of age there — "a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The believer is but an infant, in his minority, here. Parents do not allow very young children to enter their drawing-rooms and mingle with their distinguished guests; but they have to wait until they are of a fit age, and know how to conduct themselves in noble company. When they are infants they are not allowed to meddle with the papers and writings of their father; but as they approach maturity it is pleasant to see them take interest in the circumstances and movements of the household. 2. It will be in its own climate there. There are many impediments to its progress here. It is exposed to many diseases, and the believer has to take many a bitter drug, and has to undergo treatment oftentimes which is, for the present, not joyous, but grievous. But by such things is the inward man renewed day by day. The bitter things will not be needed in the world to come; there the climate will be genial, the atmosphere perfectly healthy; and none of the inhabitants shall say, "I am sick." 3. It will then be in its home. It is but a pilgrim here, travelling through the enemy's land; the god of this world and the children of this world are hostile to it, and do their best to kill it. The Christian has often feared that the "Divine nature" has received a death-blow, he felt so weak and faint. 4. It will be in its Father's house. The believer is away at school; and the only intercourse between him and the Father is by correspondence.Note — 1. Heaven or hell will be but a continuation of what man is here. The principle which is now in thy soul, having reached its climax, will constitute thy heaven or thy hell; and that in its native element. 2. All men begin in this world to live the " eternal life" or begin to die the "eternal death." (David Roberts, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. |
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