Life Eternal Rev Thomas Mullackal

Life Eternal

Rev. Thomas Mullackal

hinking of the fullness and duration of this wonderful life, W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of the last generation, just before his death spoke from his own experience that "I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, 'You have an illness from which you won't recover.' I walked out to where I live five miles from Portland, Oregon, and I looked across at that mountain that I love. I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul. Then in the evening I looked up into the great sky where God was lighting His lamps, and I said, 'I may not see you many more times, but Mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and River, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea; and Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen from your sockets in the great down pulling of the material universe!'" The origin of life is a mystery that even science can't yet explain fully. However, a combined study of the Gospel of John and the book of Genesis' first chapter establishes the importance of eternal life and the origin of life. The book of Genesis, talks about the origin of life and the gospel of John speaks of Christ who became our light- the life of man. Though the idea of life is the central motif of all the four gospels; the T

writer of the fourth gospel – John summarizes his purpose in writing it that “all his readers may have the benefit of life in abundance.” Hence, he says “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). God –Yahweh, is the source and sustainer of Life. According to Genesis 2:7, "the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." The holy Bible portrayed God as the giver of life and distinguishes living organisms from inanimate things. Abraham believed in God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not (Romans 4:17). We come across uncertain living experiences in varying qualities of life by the length of our days. However, the Bible says God is the creator who even has authority over one's each day. The one who could not comprehend this fact choked in life between sins, worries, worldly pleasures, hunger, sickness and sorrows (Mark 4:19; Luke 12:15). Life in this world is fleeting and uncertain. People are discontent and lacking something in life. Abundant life is the need of the hour and is found in the Bible. The theme of the Bible is the eternal life and the

abundant life in Christ. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus Christ offers an everlasting life for all who can believe in the Father who sent Jesus to the world (John 5:24). “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). Eternal life begins when we are born anew in water baptism. In Baptism we are buried with Christ into His death and raised from the dead to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). Hence, we become born of the water and Spirit (John 3:3-5). As we are raised with Christ, we are made alive together with Christ (Colo. 2:12-13). Thus we are clothed in Christ and become sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). A blessed life begins since we initiate to walk with Christ. Moreover, His Spirit is offered to those who believe in Him. Jesus says “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-39). How do we experience the joy of eternal life at present? If we study the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John, we can understand it better. 1. The secret of living is bearing fruit - John 15:8 2. The secret of bearing fruit is abiding - John 15:5 3. The secret of abiding is obeying - John 15:10 4. The secret of obeying is loving - John 14:15 5. The secret of loving is knowing – 1 John 4:8 By knowing God, we approach to love Him. By loving Him, we will obey Him. By obeying Him, we will abide in Him. By abiding in Him, we will bear fruit. By bearing fruit, we will experience the joys of abundant living. Let us be controlled by the spirit of Christ to live in peace full of life. Our wonderful teacher and guide, the Holy Spirit will help us to know more about Christ by guiding us on the right path. The Bible says “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). St. Patrick, 'Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus' reads “I was freeborn according to the flesh. I am the son of a decurion. But I sold my noble rank - I am neither ashamed nor sorry - for the good of others. Thus I am a servant in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Christ “Jesus our Lord.

Rev. Thomas Mullackal is currently holding the responsibilities such as Pastor at Hebron Fellowship, Dallas and Academic Dean in Dallas School of Theology. Rev. Thomas Mullackal is married to Blessy. They have two daughters named Feba and Sneha

By knowing God, we approach to love Him. By loving Him, we will obey Him. By obeying Him, we will abide in Him. By abiding in Him, we will bear fruit. By bearing fruit, we will experience the joys of abundant living. Let us be controlled by the spirit of Christ to live in peace full of life.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24

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