Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 143

"_When Christ, who is our life, shall appear_, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Verse 4.

NOTE.-The word _immortal_ occurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to G.o.d.

25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?

"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; _who only hath immortality_." 1 Tim. 6:15, 16.

NOTE.-G.o.d is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from G.o.d. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.

26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of _our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel_." 2 Tim. 1:10.

27. To whom is eternal life promised?

"To them who by patient continuance in well-doing _seek for glory and honor and immortality_, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.

NOTE.-One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.

28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?

"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." 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

29. What is then to be swallowed up?

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pa.s.s the saying that is written, _Death is swallowed up in victory_." Verse 54. See verse 57.

Life Only In Christ

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Moses Smiting The Rock. "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them." 1 Cor. 10:4.

1. What is the wages of sin?

"The wages of sin is _death_." Rom. 6:23.

2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?

"_Neither is there salvation in any other_: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

NOTE.-If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?

3. Why did G.o.d send His only begotten Son to this world?

"That whosoever believeth in Him should not _perish_, but have _everlasting life_." John 3:16.

4. What does Christ declare Himself to be?

"I am the way, the truth, and _the life_." John 14:6.

5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and _I give unto them eternal life_; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27, 28.

6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?

"Except ye _eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood_, ye have no life in you." John 6:53.

7. In whom is the life eternal?

"And this is the record, that G.o.d hath given to us eternal life, _and this life is in His Son_." 1 John 5:11.

8. Who only have this life?

"_He that hath the Son hath life_; and he that hath not the Son of G.o.d hath not life." Verse 12. "_He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life_, and shall not come into condemnation; but is pa.s.sed from death unto life." John 5:24.

9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?

"When Christ, who is _our life_, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:4.

There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.

Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed church of G.o.d Are saved, to sin no more.

E'er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, Unworthy though I be, For me a blood-bought, free reward- Eternal life for me.

There in a n.o.bler, sweeter song, I'll sing Thy power to save, When this poor lisping, stam'ring tongue Is ransomed from the grave.