Making a living is an expression that means how a person makes a living. Some don't do anything, they just survive. What about you?

God told Adam that he would eat his bread by the sweat of his brow. And his descendants still do that today, except for those who work in activities that don't require much physical effort. Or those who don't like to earn their bread with dignity.

But I want to talk about how you are seeking to gain not temporal life here, but eternal life.

I hope you're not among those who think that Jesus has already paid the price for your life and that you don't need to do anything about it. That all you have to do now is trust.

Because he says, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for I tell you that many will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24.

Eternal life is one of the names of God's law. It also means to live forever. And for that to happen, you first have to want it, and then strive for it.

Among the conditions imposed by Jesus is this: "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it. “And whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will find it.” Matthew 16:25 and Mark 8:35.

So you have to lose the temporal to find the eternal. And this has much more depth than many realize.

But many people want it and think it's their way. And so they do nothing to deserve it, which is why they won't have it.

They are even remiss in asking, and think that their father, mother or some saint will intercede for them.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Oli Prestes
Missionary