The concept of eternal life is central to the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that God created human beings to live forever in perfect relationship with Him. However, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, resulting in death and separation from God (Genesis 3). The rest of the Bible is essentially the story of God’s plan to restore eternal life to humanity through Jesus Christ.
So what exactly does the Bible teach about eternal life? Let’s explore some key points:
Eternal Life is a Gift from God
Eternal life is not something we can earn or deserve on our own merits. It is an undeserved gift from God made possible by His grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life begins when we put our faith in Christ.
More Than Just Unending Existence
Eternal life is not just about existing forever. It is a particular quality of life that comes from being in perfect relationship with God. Jesus described it this way: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life means knowing and experiencing an intimate relationship with God Himself.
Experienced in Part Now
Although eternal life reaches its fullness after death, it starts when we are born again through faith in Christ. Believers have new spiritual life within them through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; Romans 6:4). We get to know God as Father and experience His love. Eternal life has already begun for Christians!
Attained After Death
Upon death, the spirits of believers go to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8). This interim period after death and before the resurrection is sometimes called the “intermediate state.” At the resurrection, believers will receive imperishable resurrection bodies and experience the full blessings of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:42-57). They will inhabit the new heavens and new earth with God forever (Revelation 21:1-4).
Requires Repentance and Faith
The free gift of eternal life must be received by repentance and faith in Christ. Repentance means turning away from sin and self-rule. Faith means trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. Only those who turn from sin and turn to Jesus in faith receive eternal life (Mark 1:15; John 1:12). Sadly, many reject God’s gift of eternal life because they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-20). But it’s available to all who receive Christ!
Results in Changed Lives
Eternal life transforms believers morally and spiritually as the Holy Spirit works within them. Though still imperfect, followers of Jesus will exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities of eternal life gradually increase as believers mature in Christ.
Will Be Fulfilled in the New Heavens and New Earth
The Bible ends with a glorious picture of eternal life with God in the new heavens and new earth. There will be no more sin, suffering, crying or pain – only perfect fellowship with God, fulfilling relationships, meaningful work, and the beauty of God’s restored creation (Revelation 21:1 – 22:5). Eternal life will be far more glorious than anything we have ever experienced on this sin-cursed earth.
The Alternative is Eternal Separation from God
The terrible alternative to eternal life with God is eternal separation from Him. Hell is described as a place of outer darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and eternal fire (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 25:30, Mark 9:48). Because God is the source of all that is good, joyful and fulfilling, separation from Him for eternity is the most dreadful possible fate. God does not desire this for anyone (2 Peter 3:9), but He allows those who reject Him to choose separation if they insist.
These are some of the key points the Bible makes about eternal life. In summary, it is a free gift of relationship with God made possible by Christ’s sacrifice, received by faith, resulting in spiritual transformation. While partially experienced now, it will one day be fully realized in a new creation. This is the incredible future hope Jesus came to offer us!
Old Testament Hints
Even in the Old Testament there were hints that eternal life might be possible:
– The tree of life in the Garden of Eden suggested the potential for human beings to eat and live forever if they had eaten from it (Genesis 3:22).
– Enoch “walked faithfully with God” and was taken by God so that he did not experience death (Genesis 5:21-24).
– Elijah was taken up to heaven alive in a whirlwind when God ended his mission on earth (2 Kings 2:11-12).
– Psalm 133:3 speaks poetically of “life forevermore” that is possible in God’s presence.
However, Old Testament believers did not have full understanding of eternal life and their afterlife beliefs were vague (Psalm 6:5, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). The Law’s purpose was to show the need for salvation more than provide it. Eternal life would be revealed more fully later.
Jesus Reveals Eternal Life
Jesus spoke about eternal life more clearly and frequently than anyone else in Scripture. He came to provide what the Law could only point to. Some key passages where Jesus talks about eternal life:
– John 3:14-16 – Whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. It is possible only through Christ.
– John 4:13-14 – The water Jesus provides quenches thirst forever. A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
– John 5:24 – Those who believe have already crossed over from death to life. They will not be condemned.
– John 6:27 – Labour for eternal food which the Son of Man will give.
– John 6:40 – Everyone who looks to the Son and believes will have eternal life.
– John 6:47 –He who believes has everlasting life.
– John 6:54 – Those who eat his flesh and drink his blood have eternal life.
– John 10:27-28 – Jesus gives eternal life to his sheep who follow him. No one can snatch them out of his hand.
Jesus clearly taught that He alone was the source of eternal life. Faith in Him was the means to receive it.
New Testament Explanations
The other New Testament writers built on Jesus’ teaching and gave additional explanations about eternal life:
– Romans 6:23 – The gift of God is eternal life through Christ. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.
– Galatians 6:8 – Whoever sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.
– 1 Timothy 1:16 – God gave us eternal life through Christ Jesus.
– 1 John 2:25 – The promise Christ made is eternal life.
– 1 John 5:11 – God has given us eternal life through Christ. Whoever has Christ has life.
– Jude 1:21 – Eternal life comes through Christ alone.
The NT writers clarified that eternal life could only come through the person and work of Jesus Christ. He purchased eternal life for us by taking the punishment for our sins upon himself.
Requirements to Receive Eternal Life
While eternal life is a free gift of God’s grace that cannot be earned, the Bible does speak of things God requires for us to receive this gift:
– Repentance – We must turn from our sins and turn to follow God (Luke 13:3, Acts 11:18).
– Faith – We must believe in Jesus and His power to save us (John 3:16, Acts 16:31).
– Obedience – We must obey Jesus’ commands out of love for Him (John 14:15, Hebrews 5:9).
– Persevering to the end – We must continue following Jesus lifelong (Matthew 10:22, Revelation 2:10).
Though salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, saving faith transforms lives. True conversion results in a life of obedience and perseverance as evidence we have been born again.
The Holy Spirit Gives Eternal Life
While Jesus was on earth, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given (John 7:39). Jesus was the initial giver of eternal life to those who believed in Him. After His ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to indwell believers and regenerate their spirits:
– John 3:5-6 – Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, they cannot enter God’s kingdom. The Spirit gives spiritual life.
– Titus 3:5 – God saved us through rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
– Romans 8:11 – The Spirit who raised Jesus will give life to our mortal bodies through His indwelling.
The Holy Spirit applies Christ’s redemptive work to believers and gives spiritual, eternal life to those who were dead in sin.
Tests that Indicate Eternal Life
How can you know if someone has eternal life? The New Testament gives several tests:
– 1 John 5:12 – Whoever has the Son has life. Whoever does not have the Son does not have life. Professing faith in Christ is an essential evidence.
– 1 John 2:3 –We know Christ if we obey His commands. A life of obedience indicates saving faith.
– 1 John 3:14 – We know we have passed from death to life because we love fellow believers. Loving others provides assurance.
– James 2:17 – Faith is shown by works. Faith without works is dead and cannot save.
While works provide evidence of faith, they are not the basis of our salvation. The basis is Christ alone. But works verify the reality of faith.
Descriptions of Eternal Life
The Bible uses vivid imagery when describing the blessings of eternal life:
– Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain.
– Revelation 22:1-2 – The river of the water of life flows from God’s throne. The tree of life bears fruit crops every month.
– Psalm 16:11 – In God’s presence there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
– John 17:3 – Eternal life means knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Eternal life is living in God’s presence where there is comfort, abundance, joy and intimate relationship forever.
The Necessity of Eternal Life
Why is eternal life so vitally important? Consider a few key reasons:
– God created us for eternal life with Him, so anything less would be incomplete. We are made for so much more than this fallen world.
– Eternal life gives existence meaning and purpose. Temporary life is ultimately meaningless if there is nothing beyond.
– Justice demands eternal life. Evil, suffering and death cry out for eternal redress that temporary life cannot adequately provide.
– Eternal life is necessary to enjoy full relationship with God. A limited lifespan allows only a fraction of knowing Him.
– Endless existence apart from God would be unbearable. Eternal life with Him is the only thing that makes eternal existence worthwhile.
Eternal life fulfills the deepest longings of the human spirit. We desperately need eternal life because we are eternal beings created for eternal purposes.
How to Attain Eternal Life
You may still be wondering, what must I do to receive eternal life? The Bible’s answer is beautifully simple:
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
This offer of eternal life is available for you. Turn from sin and turn to Jesus Christ in simple repentance and faith. You will be forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life by trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. He made eternal life possible for you at great cost to Himself because He loves you so much.