Editorial – The Condition For Receiving Eternal Life

We are living during the gospel dispensation and this dispensation is the last period of probation that is granted to us. If during this period of probation we fail to repent and obey the truth, we will perish with the disloyal. There will be no second trial (read Revelation 22:11, 12). Obedience is the condition of inheriting eternal life. This has always been true. The only way out of our sinful condition is if Christ shall give His righteousness to us and He will do this if we will consent to let Him take away our sins.

Every person may come into possession of this priceless gift if he will comply with the conditions as stated by the apostle Paul in Romans 2:7: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 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 thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live (Luke 10:25–28).” “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).”

“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (Revelation 22:14).”

“The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been—just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized.” Steps to Christ,  62.