What is eternal life? You have asked a great and very important question. We have great news for you that you won’t want to miss, so please keep reading.
Today we will be talking about the following.
- What is Eternal Life?
- How Can I Be Saved?
- Can I Lose My Salvation?
- What Does Eternal Life Mean?
- How Can I Know Jesus?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).”
This is a well-known verse, known even by those who don’t know God. It tells us how to have eternal life. Often people miss this promise because it seems too easy. They want to do something. But, believing is simply receiving what Jesus has done for us (John 1:12). He’s accomplished eternal redemption. When the Jews asked Jesus what they had to do to work the works of God, Jesus answered–ironically:
“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent (John 6:29).”
How Can I Be Saved?
Jesus paid for our salvation. Just before He died on the cross, Jesus said a word, an accounting term, which they stamped on a bill that meant “paid in full.” Jesus came because we couldn’t do anything to save ourselves. And God was and is satisfied with His sacrifice. When we believe in Jesus’ Name, we receive eternal life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).”
God gives believers eternal life, and we receive it by grace. Grace means we don’t deserve the gift of eternal life. Because we are sinners, we deserve the opposite: eternal death. And that is what unbelievers will receive. You can read more about grace here.
Once you have eternal life, you never lose it. Otherwise, eternal loses its meaning.
Can I Lose My Salvation?
Some Christians think a person can have eternal life and lose it either by not believing anymore or practicing sin. But eternal means endless, forever. When we receive it–the moment we believe–God makes permanent changes to us that cannot be undone. Believers receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, who promises to never leave. They are born again, meaning they have a new nature. They also have the promise of God that no one can take believers out of His hand. One Christian scholar has listed over thirty wonders that happen to or for us at the moment we believe.
What Does Eternal Life Mean?
Having eternal life doesn’t just mean we’ll live forever. Eternal life is a quality of life–the same type of life that God has. Eternal life is also a Person: Jesus. We have eternal life because we are in Jesus (John 17:3-6). And we can learn to know Him in an enhanced way.
Even when we have eternal life, we can grow in the quality of that life. The more we become like Jesus, the more we experience that quality of life. That quality of life is not becoming richer in this world, or that Jesus heals us of our illnesses. Quite often we become closer to Him by sharing in His sorrows.
“To know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10).”
How Can I Know Jesus?
Part of knowing Jesus better is to know the fellowship of His sufferings. Jesus suffered, and He warned His followers that if they wanted to be close to Him, they also would share His grief. Those who refuse to share His suffering won’t lose their life, but they will be ashamed when Jesus returns:
“And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28).”
But the faithful willing to suffer with Him will receive His praise, “well done faithful servant.”
Conclusion:
- We receive eternal life by faith in Jesus’ Name based on His grace and finished work of salvation.
- God gives us eternal life at the moment of faith, and we cannot lose it.
- Eternal life is a quality of life that can be enhanced by becoming more like Jesus.
If you would like to receive the gift of eternal life, you can do it right now! Please watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU VIDEO on this page and then connect with us. We want to help you know Jesus and connect you with other believers who can help you grow.
