Eternal life is a central theme in Christian theology, representing the life that God offers to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament and is a promise of an unending, blessed existence in the presence of God. Eternal life is not merely an extension of temporal life but a qualitatively different kind of life that begins in the present and continues into eternity.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of eternal life is explicitly linked to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25). This statement underscores the belief that eternal life is accessible through faith in Christ, who has power over life and death.

John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known verse concerning eternal life: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" . This verse highlights the love of God as the motivation for offering eternal life and identifies belief in Jesus as the means by which it is received.

Nature of Eternal Life

Eternal life is described as both a present possession and a future hope. In John 5:24, Jesus states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life" . This passage indicates that eternal life begins at the moment of faith, marking a transition from spiritual death to life.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of eternal life in his epistles. In Romans 6:23, he contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of God: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" . Here, eternal life is presented as a divine gift, emphasizing its unearned and gracious nature.

Eternal Life and the Kingdom of God

Eternal life is often associated with the Kingdom of God, a central theme in Jesus' teaching. In the synoptic Gospels, entering the Kingdom is synonymous with inheriting eternal life. For instance, in Mark 10:17-31, the rich young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus' response points to the necessity of following Him and prioritizing the Kingdom over earthly possessions.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's experience of eternal life. In Romans 8:11, Paul writes, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" . The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a foretaste and guarantee of the eternal life to come, empowering believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Eternal Life as Knowledge of God

Eternal life is also described as knowing God and Jesus Christ. In John 17:3, Jesus prays, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" . This definition emphasizes a relational aspect of eternal life, where knowing God intimately is both the means and the essence of eternal life.

Assurance of Eternal Life

Believers are encouraged to have assurance of eternal life. The Apostle John writes in 1 John 5:13, "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" . This assurance is based on the promises of God and the finished work of Christ, providing believers with confidence in their eternal destiny.

Conclusion

Eternal life, as given in Christ, is a profound and transformative promise that shapes the Christian faith. It is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus, and characterized by a deep, personal relationship with the Creator. This life begins now and extends into eternity, offering hope and assurance to all who believe.1 John 5:11
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... to inbirth faith in each scene of life – so that ... "Faith is the divinely given conviction
of ... Our believing has eternal meaning when it becomes "-believing" by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because of Sin; but the ...
... But it is only the Spirit of Christ given to us that ... the strongest ground of
consolation"if Christ be in ... life that is in you hath begun eternal life in your ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvi and if christ.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... law at variance with the preaching of Christ's gospel. ... say as much as if I had given
you liberty ... it questioned whether ye shall be partakers of eternal life. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... Now, therefore, there is another commandment given to Christ, which directly ... of sinners,
and resolvest to die for them, that thou give eternal life to whom ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm

The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby
... whosoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have eternal life. ... benefit
solely to the grace of God given them in Christ from everlasting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the death of christ and.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... Forty-Ninth Chapter: The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great ... Third Chapter: God's Grace
Is Not Given to the ... to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/

Death and Life in Christ
... In the text we see death, resurrection, life, and life eternal. ... That night when the
right-hand of fellowship was given to you the new life was openly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me ...
... all had been purchased for us, if eternal life and forgiveness ... had been the terms,
I have purchased life, now rise ... Christ had lost all that was given him, if ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix for the law.htm

Rejection of Errors
... This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the ... that man should use the light
of nature aright, be pious, humble, meek, and fit for eternal life, as if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

Things Omitted from John's Gospel.
... Man He "forgives;" as Son of God He bestows "eternal life.". ... kingdom of heaven, but
to them it is not given. ... Here we learn why that Christ, in the later stages ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from johns.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... own hearts"it is life spiritual, given to us ... with blood, and to declare that Christ
died a ... is by such instrumentality that souls are brought to life eternal. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

What did Jesus mean when He promised an abundant life? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of life? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a difference between the book of life and the Lamb's book of life? | GotQuestions.org

Life: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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