by Archdeacon Seraphim
Mary, OSF.
The first chapter of
Saint Matthew lists the lineage of Jesus Christ: 42 generations
starting with the miracle of Isaac, born to Abraham and Sarah, and
ending with the miracle of deity assuming human form. In between are
the names of a schemer, a prostitute, a murderer, kings, and former
idol worshipers. These men and women had their lives transformed by
God and, by His supernatural workings, were given a place in the
ancestry of our Saviour. God protected this line despite betrayal,
war, captivity and assimilation.
It is this same God who
promises us eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Bible recounts
promise after promise from the Lord, and 2 Corinthians 1. 20
reassures us that they are all yes in Christ. We who are born
again through the waters of baptism and faith in Jesus are given a
permanent place in God's family, which is guaranteed by both the
Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost is given to us as a seal of the
pledge, ensuring that we will receive our eternal inheritance as
children of God.
For the guarantee of
eternal to take effect, there is but a single requirement – that we
enter into a personal relationship with Christ. The Lord Himself
registers our name in the Lamb's book of life. There are no
additional specifications to meet for the guarantee to be in effect,
and it remains in place forever. Eternal life belongs to us the
instant we become children of God. The Lord has promised this, and we
can count on it. Alleluia!
Scriptural Meditations: (2
Cor 1. 20-22; John 10. 28-29; Rev 21. 27)
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