God Is Your life: In Him You Live And Have Your Being

The gift of life has been freely and graciously offered to fallen humankind. 

Through Christ we may become partakers of the divine nature and obtain the gift of eternal life.

It has been abundantly provided for all who will come and receive it through God's appointed means.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

This message is for the world. It is the will of God that none should perish, but that all should have eternal life through faith in the sacrifice of Christ.

All who look unto Jesus, believing in Him as their personal Savior, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Christ is our sacrifice, substitute, surety, and divine intercessor.

He is made unto us righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.

The crowning glory of life results from a connection with Christ.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth...

he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:24, 28.

Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in humankind. 

You have only one life to live. In it, you have the privilege of preparing for an unending life.

Seek immortality and the crown of life. 

Then the eternal treasures will be yours and an inheritance in the kingdom which God hath promised to those that love Him. James 2:5.

None of us liveth to himself. Your life is twined with all others in the common web of humanity. 

You are to be laborers together with God for the salvation of those who perish in degradation and woe.

Creation of humankind

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4.

Man and woman were the crowning act of God's creation. They were made in the image of God and designed to be a counterpart of God.

When Christ had made man, though, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, it was without life. 

Then God breathed into that form the breath of life and man became a:

• living

• knowing

• loving

• reasoning

• intelligent being, able to render service of love, appreciating their Maker's character .

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7.

All parts of the human organism were put in action. 

The heart, arteries, veins, tongue, hands, feet, senses, and perceptions of the mind began their work, and were placed under law.

Through Jesus Christ a personal God created man and woman and endowed them with intelligence and power of choice.

Moreover, God designed that humans, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory in their characters.

We are to praise and glorify God, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14.

Sin separated humans and their Maker. No one has seen God at any time, except as He is manifested through Christ.

I and My Father are one. John 10:30.

No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, 

save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27.

Redemption of humanity

In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7.

All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. 1 Chronicles 29:14.

All things are God's by creation and redemption. All the blessings of this life and of the life to come are delivered to us stamped with the cross of Calvary.

Therefore, it is a false charge that God is a hard master, reaping where He has not sown.

Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures: They are they which testify of me. John 5:39.

This is the World's Redeemer, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. Furthermore, the whole Bible tells of Christ.

From the first record of creation - for without him was not anything made that was made, John 1:3, to the closing promise - 

Behold I come quickly, Revelation 22:12, we are reading of His works and listening to His voice.

He came out of the tomb and proclaimed: I am the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25.

As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12.

Jesus paid the redemption price for every son and daughter of Adam. 

Moreover, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.

God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, 

believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16.

These words are to be understood, believed, and lived. They will give us spiritual life. Christ's teachings are to be brought into the daily experience.

God's Word is spirit and life

The life of God was manifested in the flesh and was the living word. Jesus said: 

The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. John 6:63.

Feed upon God's Word, search it and dig deep for knowledge and understanding.

You receive the life of the Vine as receiving His Word.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, 

and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24.

The conversion of the soul is in a way a resurrection from the dead. 

It is like a re-creation to those, who, through the transforming power of the grace of God have passed from death unto life.

Christ's listeners did not believe His words. They said in their hearts - this is impossible. Jesus discerned their doubt and added:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; 

and they that hear shall live. John 5:25.

Furthermore, you are buried with Christ in baptism as an emblem of His death. You are raised from the water as an emblem of His resurrection.

Thus, you are to live as new-born souls, that you may be raised at the last great day. You are to live in newness of life.

For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3, 4.

Show us a sign

What sign showest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? what dost Thou work? 

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. John 6:30, 31.

The Jews honored and praised Moses as the giver of the manna. 

Thus they glorified the human instrument, and lost sight of Christ by whom the work had been accomplished.

They also murmured against Moses. Furthermore, they doubted and denied his divine mission. 

In the same spirit their children rejected the One who bore the message of God to themselves.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven. John 6:32.

It was Christ Himself who had led the Hebrews through the wilderness, and fed them daily with the bread from heaven. 

That food was a type of the real bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:33, 35.

The figure which Christ used was a familiar one to the Jews. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses had said:

That he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, 

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:3.

Thus he teaching of the prophets made plain the deep spiritual lesson in the miracle of the loaves.

As from that bread they had received physical strength and refreshment, so from Christ they might receive spiritual strength unto eternal life.

He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But He added: 

Ye also have seen Me, and believe not. John 6:35, 36.

The science of salvation

It will quicken the mind and uplift the soul as no other study can.

The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Ecclesiastes 7:12.

The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3.

The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the Word of God. This Word imparts power and begets life. Every command is a promise.

As accepted by the will and received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.

Furthermore, the life thus imparted is in like manner sustained.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4.

Mind and soul are built up by that upon which they feed. It is up to us to determine upon what they will be fed. 

It is within the power of everyone to choose the topics that will occupy the thoughts and shape the character.

Of every human being privileged with access to the Scriptures, God said:

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Hosea 8:12.

Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3.

We live Christ's life

Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character. Moreover, He offers to impart this character to us. This robe has in it not one thread of human origin.

All our righteousness are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6.

Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. Differently, the Son of God was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. 

Sin is defined to be the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:5, 4.

For Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law.

I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart. Psalm 40:8.

Jesus said to His disciples: 

I have kept My Father's commandments. John 15:10.

By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments.

When we submit ourselves to Christ:

• our heart is united with His heart

• the will is merged in His will

• our mind becomes one with His mind

• the thoughts are brought into subjection to Him

• we live His life.

This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness.

As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. John 1:12.

This power is not in the human being. It is the power of God. When a soul receives Christ, he or she receives power to live the life of Christ.

God's Law is a transcript of His own character, and it is the standard of all character. The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression of His law.

When those who claim to be children of God become Christlike in character, they will be obedient to all God's commandments.

The source of strength and life

One's mind turns away from Christ when it dwells upon self. It is Satan's effort to keep the attention diverted from the Savior. He constantly brings up to us:

• the pleasures of the world

• life's cares

• perplexities and sorrows

• the faults of others

• our own faults and imperfections

• anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved

Thus he prevents the communion of our souls with Christ. All this turns us away from the Source of our strength.

Jesus said: Abide in Me...for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:4, 5. 

Furthermore, He invited us: Come unto Me...and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7.

And Isaiah gives the assurance: In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15.

Therefore, trust in God. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him.

Put away all doubt. Dismiss your fears. Obtain the experience that Paul had when he exclaimed:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: 

and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. 2 Timothy 1:12. 

If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you. Romans 8:37.

We are safe as looking unto Jesus. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. 

In constantly beholding Him, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

You shell live by Him

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. John 6:54-57.

Christ explained the meaning of His words.

It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; 

the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

It is in eating the words of Christ that we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. 

In obedience to His word, we become partakers of His divine nature in the same way in which we are composed of the food we eat.

Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God become one in spiritual life with Christ. 

No human being can be nourished by the food which another eats. They must eat for themselves.

God has sent His Son to communicate His own life to humanity. Christ declared:

I live by the Father, My life and His being one.

No man hath seen God at any time; 

the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. John 5:26.

The head of every man is Christ, as the head of Christ is God.

And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 3:23.

God is love

He has shown that love in the gift of Christ.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17.

Nevertheless, the love of God does not lead Him to excuse sin. He did not excuse it in Satan, Adam or in Cain.

He will not excuse it in any other person. Moreover, He will not overlook our sins or defects of character. 

He expects us to overcome in His name and live the way He did in human flesh.

You will find help in Christ to form a strong, symmetrical and beautiful character. God has given us His best gift to uplift, ennoble and fit us for His kingdom.

The life of Christ in you produces the same fruits as in Him. Living in, adhering to, supported by, and drawing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after His likeness.

Christ took a human nature upon Him. Thus, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power, but the choice of humans themselves.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come;

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39.

Surrender everything to Christ, and let your life be hid with Christ in God. Then you will be a power for good.

Born again

The power of Christ alone can work the transformation in heart and mind that all must experience who would partake with Him of the new life in the kingdom of heaven.

Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3.

The religion that comes from God is the only religion that can lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the Divine Spirit.

This will purify the heart and renew the mind, and give us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. 

It will give us willing obedience to all His requirements. This is a true worship.

The character is transformed by divine work. For the Lord said:

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:26.

This is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. Paul said: I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20.

How shall we know that we are in Christ?

We may know it by the character of our fruit. The fruit borne on the Christian tree is holiness of heart. 

Furthermore it is a wholeness to Christ. Thus Christians will:

• have God constantly in their thoughts

• love those for whom Christ has died

• follow Christ in the path of self-denial

• their life will be ascribe with the love of Jesus

• delight more in contemplation of the love of God than in anything the world can offer.

There can be only love, thankfulness and praise when the heart is renewed by the Divine Spirit. Thus consecration to God is maintained, because Jesus is within, the hope of glory.

If we are one with Christ, we shall be Christlike. This is the great power of God. And yet we are commanded:

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good-pleasure. Philippians 2:12, 13.

Christ will enable you to live the new life

An entire change may be made in your life through the right exercise of the will. 

By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers.

You have confessed your sins and put them away in heart. You have resolved to give yourself to God. 

Now go and ask Him to wash away your sins and give you a new heart.

Then believe that He does this because He has promised. This is the lesson which Jesus taught while He was on earth. 

We must believe that we do receive the gift which God promises us. Than it is ours.

Jesus healed the people of their diseases when they had faith in His power.

He helped them in the things which they could see, thus inspiring them with confidence in Him concerning things which they could not see. 

Thus leading them to believe in His power to forgive sins.

That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) 

Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. Matthew 9:6.

Furthermore, John said: These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 

and that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31.

You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith.

He has made a way of escape

Firstly, Christ:

• lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet

• lived a sinless life

• died for us, and He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness.

For His sake you are accounted righteous if you accept Him as your Savior. 

Thus Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

Secondly, Christ changes the heart.

He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him.

Thus, as long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure.

Thus you may say:

The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Jesus said to His disciples:

It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Matthew 10:20.

Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works - works of righteousness and obedience.

Your sanctification is the will of God

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; 

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4.

The sanctification of God's people is the object in all His dealings with them. He has chosen them from eternity to be holy.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

We are sanctified through obedience to the truth and a personal surrender. 

Moreover, we can  honor God only as we conform to His image and be controlled by His Spirit.

Then, as witnesses for our Savior, we may make known what divine grace has done for us.

True sanctification is the result of constantly dying to sin and constantly living for Christ. It comes through the working out of the principle of love.

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16.

The life of those in whose heart Christ abides will reveal practical godliness. Their character will be purified and elevated. 

Their believe will blend with works of righteousness.

Moreover, they will know the meaning of self-sacrifice.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24.

As long as Satan reigns in this world, we have self to subdue and sins to overcome.

Furthermore, as long as our life last, there will be no point which we can reach and say: I have fully attained. 

Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience.

Living the life of faith

God does not ask you to feel that Jesus is your Savior, but to believe that He died for you. Moreover, that His blood now cleanses you from all sin.

As the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness that the dying might look and live.

So Christ was lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Look to the uplifted Savior with saving faith. Believe He saves you. It is so, not because you feel it, but because God has promised, no matter how terrible your sins may have been.

God had provided a remedy that can not fail.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31.

Do not be among the number to whom the Savior said: Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. John 5:40.

He longed to save them! For while we were yet sinners - not waiting for us to make ourselves good - Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

Believe now that God loves you, for He has declared it.

God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

This is your answer to Satan when telling you that you are lost.

As you turn your eyes to Jesus: 

Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. John 1:29. 

Thus the controversy with the enemy will be ended. You can hold him off by declaring that:

Christ was wounded for my transgressions. He was bruised for my iniquities. 

The chastisement of my peace was upon Him, and with His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5.

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Come to God in faith and humility. Plead with Him and lay your burden at His feet, saying:

I know whom I have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12.

The Lord is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20.

Our faithless hearts may be quickened into sensibility and life as we pray and preach in faith, and say: 

The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.

Follow in the footsteps of the Son of God, for his promise is: 

He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12.

According to the seed sown will be the harvest. If you talk of Heaven and the eternal reward, your way will become lighter. 

Thus your faith will grow, because it is exercised.

Fasten your eyes upon Jesus. Thus by beholding you will become assimilated to His image.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 

even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades Heaven. Is the source of its blessedness. 

Moreover, it must be our spirit, if we would be fitted to join the society of the angelic host.

Selfishness will be overcome if the love of Christ fills our hearts and controls our lives. It will be our pleasure to minister to others and to do the will of God, whom we hope soon to see.

Eternal life

The gift of eternal life is promised on condition of saving faith in Christ.

The will of God is revealed in His written word. Moreover, the Bible defines the whole duty of His children.

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

The whole duty of mankind was summed up by Jesus' answer to the lawyer who asked Him:

Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luke 10:25.

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

He said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live. Luke 10:26-28.

We might ask: What shall we do to inherit eternal life? And the answer would be: Keep the commandments of God. 

Who is it that lives up to this requirement?

The Bible contains the science of salvation for all those who will hear and do the words of Christ. 

Furthermore, the gift of the Holy Spirit is given as drawing power in the work of mankind's salvation.

While probation lasts, we must make the most of our opportunities in seeking the Lord, and the promise is given: 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8.

The covenant made from eternity

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:3-5.

The covenant was made before the foundations of the earth were laid. 

Thus all who through the abundant grace of Christ become holy in character, should be the children of God.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3.

Read and study the Scriptures diligently. In them ye think ye have eternal life, Christ said, and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39.

It means everything to us to have an experiential and individual knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent.

Immortal glory and eternal life is the reward that our Redeemer offers to those who will be obedient to Him.

He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through His name and to overcome on their own account as He overcame in their behalf.

Christ has given them an example in His own life, showing them how they may overcome.

The claims of God are equally binding upon all. Those who choose to neglect the Christ's salvation offered to them freely are earning their wages. 

They are sowing to the flesh and will of the flesh reap corruption. Galatians 6:8.

Immortality is promised on condition of obedience

In the midst of Eden grew the tree of life. Its fruit had the power of perpetuating life. 

Had Adam and Eve remained obedient to God, they would have continued to enjoy free access to this tree and would have lived forever.

After they sinned, they were cut off from partaking of the tree of life and became subject to death.

Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19.

Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess. 

Thus there could have been no hope for the fallen race, had not God by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach.

While death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, 

Christ hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10.

And only through Christ can immortality be obtained.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36.

There is not an immortal sinner

Satan only promised Adam and Eve life in disobedience. He lied to them - Ye shall not surely die. 

It was the opposite to the word of God: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:20.

Cherubim and a flaming sword kept the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:24. 

Thus no one of the family of Adam has been permitted to pass that barrier and partake of the life-giving fruit.

Those who flatter themselves that God is too merciful to execute justice upon the sinner, have only to look to the cross of Calvary.

Christ the sinless became sin for mankind and bore the guilt of transgression. All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed.

I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. Revelation 21:6, 7.

We must resist and overcome sin in order to inherit all things.

God will render to every man according to his deeds: 

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; Romans 2:7, 9, 10.

While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked.

Moses declared to Israel: I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. Deuteronomy 30:15.

The death referred to in these scriptures is not that pronounced upon Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty of his transgression. 

It is the second death that is placed in contrast with everlasting life.

An eternal torment doctrine

It is one of the false doctrines that make up the wine of the abomination of Babylon. 

The doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell is not the teaching of the Book of God.

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: 

turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die? Ezekiel 33:11.

Another people who don't accept the doctrine of eternal torment are driven to the opposite error. 

They see that the Scriptures represent God as a being of love and compassion. 

Thus they cannot believe in eternal torment.

But holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they believe that all mankind will finally be saved. 

They regard the threatening of the Bible as to frighten people into obedience, and not to be literally fulfilled.

Thus the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the law of God, and yet expect to be finally received into His favor. 

Such a doctrine presumes upon God's mercy, but ignores His justice.

Moreover, it pleases the carnal heart and encourages the wicked in their iniquity.

Consciousness in death

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; 

for the memory of them is forgotten.

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6.

The grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee; they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. 

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day. Isaiah 38:18, 19.

The Bible also clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to Heaven. 

They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Job 14:10-12.

When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:52-55.

Conclusion

There is no part of the human being of which Christ is not to be all and in all. He is our life. 

Personal contact with Him builds the soul up, supplying its ever-recurring needs.

Every human being who lays hold of Jesus Christ by faith is capable of the highest achievements. 

Thus if obedient and faithful, one will have life that measures with the life of God and live through eternal ages.

Christ and humanity become one, so that the Spirit and character of Christ are represented in His followers daily. 

By faith He becomes unto the believer righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

In giving His flesh and His blood for the life of the world, Christ gives eternal life to all who will receive it in faith.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47

I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; 

and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6:53.

There is no growth where there is no life. Where there is no life, there is no fruit.

I am the vine, ye are the branches. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 

except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:5, 4.

In this vine is all spiritual life. From Christ's fullness alone we can obtain nourishment unto eternal life.

Those who now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:24.

References

1. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

2. 2SAT; ST, Mar 1889; GW 432; ST, Oct 1887; RH, May 1904; ST, Dec 1890; DA 385, 478, 677; Ed 126; RH, Mar 1901; CE 89; RH, Mar 1886, HM, Nov 1890; COL 311, 362; SC 48, 71; ST, Nov 1887; CE 84; ST, May 1889; 3T 365; HM, Jun 1897; ST, Sep 1892 - The Ellen G. White Estate

Your Creator And Redeemer Longs For You - Take Him At His Word

Learn to trust in God's love and His power to save and restore His moral image in you.

The Spirit of God is pleading with you to seek for those things that alone can give you peace and rest - the grace of Christ and the joy of holiness.

Give to Christ your guilt and fear today. He can satisfy the craving of your heart. Believe the Son of God.

His hand is stretched out still.