SCRIPTURE
He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
Romans 2:7
OBSERVATION
Eternal life cannot be a reward for perfection simply because nobody is perfect. According to Paul, eternal life is a reward for persistence in doing what is good. In the verse before, he claims that we all will be judged according to what we have done. And that judgment is not about results only. It will consider more heavily our attitude, our patience, our consistency, and our desire to fight our sinful nature in order to give glory to God. Eternal life is not for perfect people but for those who get up in sincere repentance each time they fall.
APPLICATION
This is graduation season in our church. Several people in our church have been honored in Commencement ceremonies recently. Graduation is a time of celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of the past and rewards the dedication of the students towards a common goal. Eternal life is not a reward for those who are graduates but a reward to those enrolled in the process. At the time of God’s judgment, we all who are students of his ways and live in the school of the Holy Spirit will be granted the honors of eternal life. Some of us will be very righteous, presenting many crowns of glory before God. Some others may not have that many crowns. We cannot give up in our pursuit of righteousness because our salvation depends on it. Our persistence in doing what is good is the strongest sign of our salvation and the best way to improve our intimacy with God.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me about endurance and the importance of staying faithful in your ways. Help me to encourage those who disqualify themselves when not persisting in doing good. Give me the right words to encourage them to resume their walk with God, to get up again and fight the good fight, and to endure until you call them home. Amen!
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