If I have only one opportunity to share to a person a certain Biblical topic, that would be: “What is Eternal Life?” The concept of Eternal Life is one of the most important topic of the Bible that one should know. It defines the relationship between humanity and God, the essence of salvation, and the ultimate purpose of life itself. If there were one essential message to impart to someone, it would be the truth about eternal life.
Believing in the Son: The Path to Eternal Life
John 3:36 offers a clear distinction: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” This scripture reveals that eternal life is exclusively available through Jesus Christ. Belief in Him is not just about acknowledgment but receiving the life that comes from God.
Those who are separated from Christ do not experience this life. Instead, they exist in spiritual death, which is far more severe than physical death. In hell, individuals may have consciousness, but they lack the essence of true life—eternal life, which is found only in God.
Death vs. Life
Gen. 3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.”
Death, biblically speaking, does not simply mean the cessation of existence but rather separation from the source of life, which is God. Genesis 3:22 reveals the original purpose of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, which was to offer eternal life to Adam. If Adam had already possessed eternal life, the Tree of Life would not have been necessary. His spiritual state was like that of the angels—alive but not endowed with eternal life, as angels do not possess this in the way humans are called to through Christ.
In Romans 6:23, Paul clearly articulates that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This eternal life, described by the Greek word “aiónios” (without end, everlasting), and “zoeh” (a life active and vigorous), belongs to God alone. It is a divine quality, not merely unending existence, but the very nature of God Himself infused into a believer.
Eternal Life is a Person: Jesus Christ
1 John 1:2 reveals a powerful truth: “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” This statement confirms that eternal life is not just a state of being but a person, Jesus Christ. Christ is the embodiment of eternal life. HE IS ETERNAL LIFE.
Jesus declares in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He further affirms in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” To have eternal life is to have Christ in us. As 1 John 5:11-12 states, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
Eternal Life Cannot Be Earned, It is a Gift
Eternal life is not something humans can earn through works or human effort. It is purely a gift, as Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9 declare. Salvation and eternal life are gifts given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. This gift is not achieved by offering sacrifices or performing rituals. Hebrews 10:4-10 explains that the blood of animals cannot take away sin. Only the sacrifice of Christ, the eternal Son of God, can cleanse sin and give life.
Jesus made it clear in John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except by me.” There is no other path to eternal life except through Him.
Eternal Life Means Life Without Ending—Because It is God Himself
The very essence of eternal life is that it is unending. But why? Because eternal life is God Himself. God is infinite, eternal, and without end. Therefore, when we receive eternal life, we are receiving the very life of God within us.
John 5:39–40 reminds us that there is no other source of eternal life. Eternal life cannot be found in the scriptures alone or in religious activity. It is only found in Christ. Galatians 6:8 emphasizes that sowing to the Spirit will reap eternal life. Romans 8:9 makes a striking declaration: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Without the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us, we do not possess eternal life.
How Do We Know We Have Eternal Life?
The question arises: how can we know that we have eternal life? Romans 7:15-20 provides insight into the internal struggle between the flesh and spirit. Even when we fail, we can rest in the knowledge that eternal life is not based on our works but on our relationship with Christ.
Faith is key to living in the fullness of eternal life. John 10:10 declares that Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly. This abundance of life is not merely in material blessings but in the fullness of Christ dwelling in us. Ephesians 4:13 speaks of growing into the fullness of Christ, which is the goal of eternal life—to be fully conformed to the image of God in Christ.
Eternal Life and the Glorified Body
The ultimate fulfillment of eternal life is the transformation of our mortal bodies. 2 Corinthians 5:4 speaks of eternal life swallowing up mortality. This is the promise of the glorified body, where death will be completely abolished. 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 describes the final victory over death when we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the mortal will put on immortality.
Conclusion
Eternal life is not merely a future promise; it is a present reality for those who are in Christ. It is a gift from God, given to us through Jesus Christ. This life is not about endless existence but about possessing the very life of God. The fullness of eternal life will ultimately result in our glorification, where death will be no more.
Therefore, if there is one essential truth to impart, it is this: eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ. To know Him is to possess life everlasting. All other paths lead to death, but in Him, we find life—life without end, life abundant, life that glorifies God.
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