"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

The "FREE GIFT OF GOD" is "eternal LIFE": that we call "salvation." But remember – and NEVER FORGET: that "Life" is the basic requisite, but otherwise has not the slightest connection with ONE'S POSITION in the eons impending. A babe is born unto a poor family, yet in time may be great in this world. Another is born unto the rich, yet his life later may be a disgrace and a misfit, yet the initial "life" was the same in both instances. Therefore wrote the great and Spirit-tutored Paul: "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION" (Phil. 2:12). Assuredly, he did not dispute that "eternal life is the gift of God" (`twas he who wrote it – Rom. 6:23), but rather, having received LIFE, let us make full use of the gracious chance HE has granted us, PROVING ourselves worthy of "AN ABUNDANT ENTRANCE into His everlasting kingdom" (II Pet. 1:11). THAT was what the Lord was saying in Luke 13:24 to the one who questioned Him, and IN THE RECOUNTED LABORS OF OUR LORD, COMING DOWN THROUGH THE CITIES AND VILLAGES, EVENTUALLY THROUGH TRAVAILING JOURNEY TO ENTER THE CITY OF PEACE AND TO STAND IN ITS HOLY TEMPLE. "I AM THE WAY." In another place He also said He IS THE DOOR. A door is the entrance. Were not the life we live of tremendous importance, then He would never have said that He was the "WAY." Therefore must we look to the LIFE He lived, that, according to its PATTERN we may also model our own lives. THEREBY does HE become our "way."

God's Signature (continued tomorrow...)