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"Lay hold on eternal life..."

Text: 1 Timothy 6:12

ETERNAL LIFE

This was the promise given by the Lord Jesus Christ to all who turned to Him in faith for salvation. However the concept of “eternal life” is often taken for granted and not fully understood or appreciated.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
to which you were also called and have confessed
the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12

1. “Lay hold on eternal life”

a) We often speak of being given “eternal life”.

i) This is true.

ii) The Lord Jesus is able to promise eternal life to all who trust in Him.

b) There is another aspect that must be given due consideration.

i) Paul urged Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life”.

ii) The phrase “lay hold” comes from a compound word (Greek: “epilambano”… to seize).

iii) Here it means “to grasp” or “to seize”.

c) There is much more to eternal life than thought.

i) There is the time element (quantity).

ii) There is also an element of quality.

d) Different aspects of eternal life highlighted.

Three may be highlighted:-

i) It is meant to be an abundant life (John 10:10).

ii) It is capable of being very fruitful (John 15:5, 8).

iii) It is capable of doing great works (John 14:12).

2. “To which you were also called”

a) Our salvation is related to God’s calling.

b) His calling is great and glorious (Ephesians 1:3-14).

3. “And have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”

a) Timothy had made public confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) The challenge now was to lay hold on that eternal life.

c) The fullness of salvation extends to a vibrant and fruitful Christian faith and life.