This is a common question that many people have when they first hear the Christian claim that believers have eternal or everlasting life. At first glance, it seems contradictory – if we have everlasting life, then why do we still experience physical death?
To understand this correctly, we first need to understand what the Bible means when it talks about everlasting life. The Bible makes it clear that everlasting life is not simply living forever in our current earthly bodies. Rather, everlasting life refers to the spiritual life that begins when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” So according to Jesus, eternal life begins not at physical death, but at the moment of spiritual rebirth when we believe in Him.
Everlasting life refers to an intimate relationship with God that transcends this earthly life. It encompasses life in heaven but is not limited to existence after death. It begins the moment we are saved and transformed through Christ. Believers have this spiritual life dwelling in them through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11).
So why then do believers still experience physical death if they possess eternal life? Eternal life refers to the eternal destiny and spiritual life believers have in Christ. Physical death is simply the separation of the spirit from the body. The physical body dies, but the spirit continues on (2 Corinthians 5:1-9).
The Bible compares physical death to sleep, from which believers will one day awaken at the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Death has been defeated by Christ, so it no longer has power over believers (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). True life is found in Christ alone.
At the resurrection, believers will experience the fullness of eternal life in God’s presence, no longer bounded by physical limitations. As 1 John 3:2 states, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” We have eternal spiritual life now and everlasting physical life to come.
In summary, the Bible teaches that all who savingly believe in Christ immediately receive eternal life even though they still experience physical death. Eternal life refers primarily to the new spiritual life believers have through Christ’s redemptive work. Physical death no longer holds power over believers because their eternal destiny is sealed in Christ. At the resurrection, we will experience everlasting life in glorified eternal bodies.
Everlasting Life is a Free Gift Received by Faith
A key aspect of everlasting life is that it is the gracious gift of God, given to those who exercise faith in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We cannot earn eternal life through good works or religious rituals. It is solely on the basis of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on our behalf that we receive eternal life.
John 3:16 famously states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to make eternal life possible. This free gift is received simply through faith in Christ.
Romans 6:23 also affirms this truth: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Everlasting life stands in contrast to the death we justly deserve because of our sin. But Christ bore that penalty for us, offering eternal life as a free gift to all who believe in Him as Savior.
Salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone. No amount of personal righteousness or good deeds qualifies us for eternal life. We can only receive it as an undeserved gift by taking God at His word and trusting in Christ’s atoning work on our behalf.
Everlasting Life Involves an Eternal Perspective
Because everlasting life is centered on an eternal relationship with God, it involves having an eternal perspective. Believers are called to live with the end in mind, keeping their focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.
Paul exhorts believers in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Our priorities should reflect our eternal destination. Material possessions and earthly achievements ultimately fade away, but what is done for Christ’s kingdom holds eternal value.
Living with an eternal perspective impacts how believers view trials and persecution as well. Paul encouraged the early believers undergoing intense persecution not to lose heart by fixing their eyes on the eternal glory to come (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). An eternal focus fortifies believers against earthly troubles.
Setting our minds on eternity also fills believers with inexpressible joy and eager anticipation. Believers long for the day when they will see Christ face to face and enter their eternal reward (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:8). An eternal perspective infuses believers with hope.
Everlasting life transforms believers’ vision – from temporary things that are passing away to permanent realities that will endure for eternity. All that believers do is impacted by the certainty that they will spend eternity in loving fellowship with Christ.
Everlasting Life Brings Assurance of Salvation
Possessing everlasting life provides great assurance of salvation to believers. It guarantees that their place in heaven is secured and their relationship with God is permanent.
Jesus promised in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Because Christ holds believers securely, they can have confidence that nothing can separate them from Him or undo their salvation.
The Holy Spirit also testifies with believers’ spirits that they are children of God (Romans 8:15-16). Believers do not need to doubt their salvation because the Spirit affirms they belong to God. As children of God through faith in Christ, believers can rest in the certainty of their eternal destination.
The apostle John wrote 1 John 5:11-13 to assure believers in their salvation: “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” Trusting in Christ provides confidence that we have passed from death to life.
Everlasting life brings assurance of salvation because it is based on God’s faithfulness, not our own. As believers walk with Christ day by day, they can remind themselves of the eternal life He has given them and find peace and security that they belong to Him forever.
Everlasting Life Brings Freedom from Fear of Death
Before Christ, death rightly held great fear and power over people. But for believers in Jesus, physical death loses its hold because their eternal spiritual life with God is secured. Hebrews 2:14-15 proclaims that through His death, Christ has freed believers from the fear of death and its bondage.
1 Corinthians 15:54-56 echoes this truth: “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Believers need not fear death because Christ has conquered it. Death is no longer a punishment for believers but rather a passageway to enter God’s glorious presence. Paul even referred to death as “gain” because being with Christ is far better than earthly life (Philippians 1:21).
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 instructs believers not to grieve like those who have no eternal hope: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” Believers can find peace in the midst of death because they know it ushers them into eternal life.
Everlasting life frees believers from having to fear death. Death no longer has power over them because their eternal future with Christ is secure. They can face death with joy and peace, knowing it leads to fullness of life forever with God.
Everlasting Life Empowers Believers to Serve God Wholeheartedly
The certainty of everlasting life also empowers believers to devote themselves fully to God’s service in their earthly lives. Their labor for the Lord takes on greater significance and motivation because it reaps eternal rewards.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Knowledge of eternity motivates perseverance and diligent work for God’s kingdom.
Jesus encouraged His followers not to treasure up earthly wealth but instead use material resources to gain eternal treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Investing in serving Christ yields an eternal inheritance that will not fade away.
Everlasting life enables believers to suffer loss and persecution for Christ with joy because their reward in heaven is great (Matthew 5:11-12). Their temporal earthly lives take on eternal significance as they use them for God’s glory.
1 Timothy 6:12 charges believers to “fight the good fight of the faith and take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” The assurance of eternity helps believers run the race with endurance and engage wholeheartedly in works of faith.
Rather than causing believers to focus selfishly on the afterlife, the promise of everlasting life motivates them to serve Christ sacrificially in their current lives. Investing in eternity empowers wholehearted service and kingdom-building.
Everlasting Life Calls Believers to Grow in Christ-likeness
Possessing eternal life should spark believers to pursue practical godliness and sanctification. God calls His children to reflect His holy character. As 1 Peter 1:15-16 commands, “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”
Knowing that they will spend eternity face-to-face with the Savior motivates believers to purify themselves, just as He is pure (1 John 3:2-3). Remembering the lavish grace they received in Christ spurs believers to live uprightly (Titus 2:11-14).
The indwelling Holy Spirit works to transform believers progressively more into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). God’s sanctifying work will one day culminate in glorification, when believers’ bodies and natures are made perfect like Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:49; Romans 8:29-30; 1 John 3:2).
Paul exhorted Timothy to “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12). Seizing eternal life involves striving after holiness by God’s grace. Pursuing Christ-likeness is the normal response to receiving the gift of everlasting life.
Everlasting life is not only about living forever but also living faithfully. Remembering their eternal destiny motivates believers to grow in godly character and conduct that honors Christ.
Everlasting Life Produces Hope and Perseverance Through Suffering
Finally, the promise of everlasting life sustains believers through the pains and trials of this present fallen world. Their hope in eternity comforts and strengthens them when they undergo suffering.
Paul says in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Any earthly afflictions are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory awaiting believers.
Therefore Peter encourages believers experiencing grief and trials to set their hope fully on God’s grace to be revealed at Christ’s coming (1 Peter 1:6-9). Knowing their eternal redemption is secured gives believers strength to endure suffering.
The book of Hebrews draws many parallels between faith in the Old Testament and present faith in Christ. The heroes of the faith persevered because they looked to their eternal reward (Hebrews 11:13-16). So believers today can run the race with endurance by fixing their eyes on eternity with Christ.
Everlasting life brings perspective to earthly troubles. Believers can rejoice even in the midst of intense persecution because they know their ultimate triumph in eternity is assured (Romans 5:3-5). The radiant hope of heaven sustains believers through present darkness.
To summarize, understanding everlasting life as eternal spiritual life believers possess through faith in Christ sheds light on why believers still physically die. While death remains an enemy, Christ has defeated its power. Eternal life centers on an unbreakable relationship with God. This promised eternity empowers believers to live purposefully and courageously, with hope and assurance that the best is yet to come.