Gift Of Eternal Life

The Gift Of Eternal Life Is Wrapped In The Wonderful Package Of Jesus

Romans 5:18, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

I was reading a wonderful book today by one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968). As I read his books and hear him preach, I see Dr. Bob Jones Sr. in Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). It is clear to me that Brother Jones had a tremendous influence on the life and preaching of Dr. Jack Hyles. I love both of these dear men of God!

It grieves my heart to see how our nation has changed for the worse in my lifetime. What discourages me is that today's professed Christians (particularly my own camp of independent Baptists) cannot see the forest for the trees! We are changing so quickly and most Baptists are in woeful denial. Here is a beautiful quote from Evangelist Bob Jones Sr.:

“Young people, you can't buy salvation. You can't pay for it after you get it. But if you don't already have it, you can have it. Somebody is giving it away around here. His name is Jesus and He wants to give you salvation.

Before I stop I will use an illustration I have used many times here at the college. Maybe those of you who have heard it have forgotten it.

Do you see this quarter? I want to give it to you. But I am a peculiar man. I just give away quarters one way. I put a quarter in a book, shut the book, and offer you the book. You don't want the book? Well, all right, you can't have my quarter, then. I have a right to put the quarter in any sort of package I wish. You, of course, have the privilege of rejecting the quarter.

God has something He wants to give you. It is eternal life. He wrapped it in the most wonderful package you ever heard of. He put it in Jesus. People looked at Jesus. He had no form or comeliness; there wasn't anything about Him to be desired. And they didn't realize what was wrapped up in that package. They put Jesus on a cross. They nailed Him there. They killed Him. Then He rose from the dead, and He has been scarred ever since that time. If you could see Jesus today, the glorified, risen Son of God, you would find scars on His brow and scars in His hands. If you could look at His side you would find a wound there. His feet are scarred. But, say, He has wrapped in Himself a wonderful gift. God gives you eternal life when you take Him. Eternal life is wrapped up in Christ.” —Dr. Bob Jones Sr., “Things I Have Learned: Chapel Talks,” pages 222-223; Bob Jones University Press, ©1945

Amen and amen! That was so simply, beautiful and eloquently said. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. preached the simplicity that is in Jesus Christ (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4).