1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

THE WAY TO HEAVENLY LIFE 121
this undeserved kindness in which we now stand,
and let us exult, based on hope of the glory of God .
Much more, therefore, since we have been declared
righteous now by his blood, shall we be saved
through him from wrath ."-Romans 5 :1,2,9, NW.
I"
When Jesus was accepted for sacrifice at his
baptism in water he was begotten to heavenly life
by God's spirit and was from then on counted as
his spiritual Son . At his resurrection from death
he was perfected as a spirit creature and was
clothed upon with deathlessness, immortality.
When God justifies or declares any believers in
Jesus Christ righteous he counts such justified
believers acceptable for the sacrifice of all things
human and earthly . Then it is that God begets
them by his spirit, adopting them as his spiritual
sons. They are now in the way to heavenly life
and are a new creation : "Consequently, if anyone
is in union with Christ, he is a new creation ;
the old things passed away, look! new things have
come into existence ." 2 Corinthians 5 :17, NW
They do not yet have immortality, but have a
hope of it set before them and so seek it as a
prize : "everlasting life to those who are seeking
glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance
in work that is good ." Romans 2 :7, NW
To gain that incorruptible prize they must be
loyal to God even at the cost of their human lives .
The deathless resurrected Jesus encourages them
to complete integrity : "Prove yourselves faithful
even with the danger of death, and I will give you
1 . By God's begettal what are they now? What hope
have they?