If God alone is immortal, which is 1 Timothy 6:16 says explicitly and without a qualifier, how can the righteous inherit eternal life, which is taught throughout the Bible?
2007-10-20 12:29:23 · 19 answers · asked by haywood1650 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay, to all answering "God makes us eternal," I understand that as the plain meaning to John 3:16 and like verses, but 1 Tim. 6:16 says unequivocally that God ALONE is eternal. I need more than just simple assertions. If we will never die, either in hell or heaven, then we are immortal. That seems to be the definition.
And as a special note to "PAULO," thanks for your Christian-like response to a Christian brother with an honest theological question seeking insight from other Christians. /sarcasm
2007-10-20 12:47:29 · update #1
Also, one more thing, one conceivably could say "well they are not mortal NOW but will be made immortal." True, but surely there are many who have already died and are made immortal as 1 Timothy was being written.
2007-10-20 12:49:20 · update #2
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
2007-10-20 12:45:24 · answer #1 · answered by ♫DaveC♪♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When the Bible speaks about eternal life it is not referring to physical life. The Bible is all about your spirit or your soul whichever you's like to call it.
God is immortal. No doubt. He is the beginning an the end. He always was and always will be.
So, how do we inherit eternal life? We give our current lives to Him. If we allow our souls to be reconciled back to God through Christ, we inherit eternal life. God loves us so much that He gave His only Son, that whosoever absolutely believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.
So, with saying that it becomes clear that some will not have eternal life. Based on the scripture it would have be understood that those that do not absolutely believe in Christ will perish.
When you believe in someone, you support there stand. You trust them. You follow them. You respect them. You get the picture.
So, the righteous inherit eternal life by living a life that proves that they believe in Christ, that they love Christ, and that they will follow Christ.
Jesus Christ was real, He rose from the dead 3 days after being crucified, and He lives to this day through His words and His spirit.
Jesus is an example of eternal life. Jesus was righteous.
Therefore, following Jesus means that you would be following righteousness. Thus leading to eternal life.
Now on the other end is eternal death, or damnation.
Refer to John 3:16
Hopefully I have fully explained the situation.
2007-10-20 13:01:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is alone eternally immortal. He has no beginning or ending. Christians who are born again by the Holy Spirit and who are transformed at the resurrection into beings who will never die. The children of God will be sustained throughout the rest of eternity by God in his presence.
FYI, the unsaved will not just disappear. Their spirits will suffer apart from the presence of God for all time.
2007-10-20 12:36:28 · answer #3 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If God says that He alone is immortal in Timothy, then there is a contradiction where God says that whoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life.
Something's not right there. Either one is true, or the other one is true, they can't both be true.
So I guess it's up to each person to pick and choose whichever one they want to believe the most!
2007-10-20 12:41:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"eternal" life is life without death.
For most of us who comply with god's requirement, this will be on the earth.
(Revelation 21:4) And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
(Psalm 37:9) For evildoers themselves will be cut off, But those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth.
(Psalm 37:11) But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
(Psalm 37:29) The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.
(Psalm 37:34) Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see [it].
On the earth...
Only a very small number have a heavenly future
Rev. 7;4 and 14;1...20;4
2007-10-20 12:50:45 · answer #5 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By your spirit. there are two things you have on this planet and that is a body that is of flesh and soul which is of the spirit. This body will not inherit the kingdom of God but by your believe in Jesus your spirit will.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR HIM?
God is not a genie in a bottle, he waiting for you to follow him, not what you want. He knows your needs and wants but seek him first and those things that you need will follow.
DO THE WILL OF GOD
You need to find a home church, be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show your self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18)
http://www.fcflighthouse.com/healing%20Services.htm
http://www.mylordmysavior.com
2007-10-20 12:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When ever person dies there fleshly body may go back to dust but your spiritual body never dies, it goes to heaven or hell. Did you notice in that verse it said light, Jesus is the Light, and that light is the light of man, Every person has the light in them but only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will go to Heaven, hell is the other option, although I do not recommend spending an eternity in a lake of fire. In order to really understand the Bible you need to be saved and born again. If you are going to church ask your Pastor about this verse, our spiritual bodies will live forever, and trust me you want to live for ever in paradise not in a lake of fire, here is a sinners prayer that you can pray that will guide you to Jesus, read it and think about seriously, its the only way to Heaven, just Pray, Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen. If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart you are now a child of God, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of Life. Jesus will now send his Holy Spirit to come and live in your heart and guide you into all truth. If you have any questions just send me an email, God Bless YOU!!
2007-10-20 12:49:20 · answer #7 · answered by victor 7707 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the captain says, "jump ship," what do you do? But those without courage and faith go down with the ship. Yes, God is eternal Life, so we should find this out and jump ship. So the question becomes, what does the ship represent if this reality appears to be substantial?
2007-10-20 12:38:32 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God existed from eternity past. Not so with Christians despite the fact that we live forever in the FUTURE.
2007-10-20 13:24:16 · answer #9 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are given eternal life upon regeneration or being born again. We will live forever in heaven with Him.
There is also 2nd death when unbeli.live forever in hell
2007-10-20 12:43:20 · answer #10 · answered by K in Him 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋