A right to life

March 25, 2022 (Bible Devotional)

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. — Revelation 22:14

We do not have a right to life when we refuse to live the rules of life. God has gracefully allowed us to exist and since the opportunity is given to us then with that opportunity comes many benefits. As human beings, we have the right to live freely without the compulsion of others including God himself. Yet, when and if we continue to live in sin, our life is guaranteed to come to an end. Sin is a slow killer and all who refuse to live the commandments of God are simply subjecting themselves to a process that will blot them out of existence. It is not God who kills, but sin.

But those who do the commandments of God have access, and if we are willing to believe it, they are a right to life. It would be wrong for God to transform their lives and give them the power of the Holy Spirit just to deny them life in the end. If we are willing to live by faith and accept the freedom that Christ offers, then that gift grants us a pass not only to eternal life but to life itself. All who by faith come to Christ have access to this gift. They will have everything that pertains to life and godliness. And when all is said and done they will be granted their due which is life, namely immortality.

Those who live by the commandments of God have the privilege to enter the gates of Jerusalem. They are people of peace. They are safe to save for eternity. Because they belong to Christ and because Christ lives in them, they will have access to everything that Christ has access to. Nothing will be hidden from them including life. It will be known among all the heavenly intelligences that they who were formerly sinners have been redeemed completely by the blood of the lamb. They are commandments keepers and they are safe to save. The former thieves, adulterers, and idolators, among others, are now transformed unto the glory and honor of Christ.

Yet, those who refuse to live the law of liberty even today will not have access to the tree of life. Because they have chosen death instead of life, God will grant them their wishes. Just like those who have chosen God to have a right to life, we learn that the wages of sin is death. It follows then, that all who consciously continue to live in sin have a right to die. It is the wages of their choice. Just like God would not prevent those who chose Christ from accessing immortality, He will not shield those who want sin above all else from death. Yet, we have an opportunity today to decide if we want the blessing for it is written: Blessed are those who do his commandments.

Do you want to stay away from the tree of life?

The Prayer — Heavenly Father, We desire to eat from the tree of life In Jesus’s name. Amen!