Proverbs 12:28 (NIV) In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Everyone seems to be health conscious these days. From all kinds of health diets to gym memberships and keeping your body moving to stay fit, the goal is not only to be healthier but also to stay alive longer. Everyone wants to stay alive. The problem is that most people’s focus is on the physical body, and no matter what we do or how hard we try to lengthen our days, it has an expiration date that no one knows when it will come. I was once listening to two people comparing notes about how many miles they each run each day. After listening to them for a while, I interjected and said, “You know...no matter what you do, we’re all gonna die.” I said it as a joke and everyone laughed, but it’s absolutely true. The Word of God says that people are destined to die (Hebrews 9:27). But there is a way to not only an extended life, but to life forevermore and most people ignore it. That way is the way of righteousness.

The majority of people who live in this world think of themselves as not perfect, but as basically good people. Does that qualify them to be considered righteous? Well...no. The Word of God tells us that there are none who are righteous (Romans 3:10). But God, being the loving God that He is, made a way for us to qualify for righteousness. That way is by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. When we do, He becomes our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). He does that by abiding in us. And how do we stay on the path of righteousness that leads to immortality? By abiding in Jesus. In other words, as Jesus lives in us and us in Him, His very nature takes over and our sinful nature is put away. That leads to righteous living, which leads to eternal life. Eternal life has been made possible and accessible to whoever desires it by believing in Jesus and making Him Lord of their life.

So while it’s a good idea to try to stay fit to avoid health problems while we live our limited time here on earth, it is imperative that we do the one thing that guarantees us immortality, which means life forevermore! More than that, it’s life forevermore with our Lord and Savior Jesus, who is not only the Giver and the Author of life, but who is Life itself. Stay alive by loving and serving the Lord and allowing Him to empower you to live and stay on the path of immortality for life with Him forever and ever.

Pastor Joey Vazquez