Eternal life, within the Christian tradition, is understood as both a present possession and a future hope for believers. It is a life that transcends physical death and is characterized by an everlasting communion with God. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of the New Testament.
Eternal life is a concept deeply rooted in the scriptures, holding profound significance for believers. Many authors have written books on eternal life. They have attempted to define eternal life, but I believe the best description will be found in the bible. When people hear “eternal life,” they often think of living forever. After all, it is what eternal life implies – endless living. Eternal life is a quality of life, not just the duration of life. “The Greek word for eternal is aiónios, which means perpetual, unending, age-long(Strong’s Concordance, Ref. 5). Aiónios includes the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting (Ref. 5). “Aiónios does not focus on the future per se, but rather on the quality of the age it relates to. Thus, believers live in eternal life right now, experiencing this quality of God’s life now as a present possession”(Helps Word-studies, Ref. 5).” Also, the Greek word “zoe” stands for “life,” which indicates not only biological existence but a fullness or genuineness of life; “eternal life” includes both the ideas of quality and quantity of life. “Life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, Ref.1). Eternal life is not simply life that never ends, but a fullness of life that is unending. In fact, in many ways, eternal life really has nothing to do with time as it can be experienced apart from time as well as within time.
The Bible tells us that, we obtain eternal life when we give our life to Jesus Christ – being Born again. So, how exactly would you define eternal life? According to John 3:16, “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.” This verse demonstrates that eternal life is a gift from God, made possible through our faith in Jesus Christ. It goes beyond mere existence, offering believers an everlasting relationship with God. Jesus further describes, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3). This knowledge implies a deep, intimate relationship with the Divine, filled with love, peace, and joy. As believers, we are invited to experience this eternal life by surrendering ourselves to Jesus and embracing His teachings. For believers in Christ, eternal life certainly includes living with God after our physical death (John 11:25-26).
Eternal life is a free gift of God to believers in Jesus Christ. Thus, eternal life is not something we deserve or earn -It is an undeserved gift of God’s grace and favor. “In spite of your sanctification as Christians, still you will not have earned eternal life; it is the gift of God’s grace.” The Bible describes eternal life as a gift from God, granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Savior. It is not merely an extension of our earthly life but a transformation into a spiritual existence that transcends time and space.
Whitney V. Myers on What is Eternal Life? illuminates, “Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). For the believer, eternal life begins in the present, here and now. Jesus described eternal life in the present tense. Thus, eternal life is not just in the future but is a present possession of the believer which continues into the future. John 3:36 – “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 5:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 6:47 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.” In John 5:24, note the importance of hearing Jesus’ words. Jesus says, “He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life.” For believers in Christ, eternal life continues with God after our physical death. Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). To the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus responded, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). John assures us that eternal life is found in Jesus. “And this is the testimony: God has given 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.” Therefore, our faith in Jesus is the key to obtaining this eternal life.”( 1 John 5:11-12). “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20. Knowing God experientially requires knowing Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6), as well as knowing and living the Word of God on a daily and life-long basis. “This life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ.” It could as well be said within the Christian tradition, that Eternal life, is understood as both a present possession and a future hope for believers. It is a life that transcends physical death and is characterized by an everlasting communion with God. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of the New Testament.
What Is Eternal Life? Hint: It’s Not Just Living Forever, Rex Rouis writes, “The phrases “This is eternal life, that they may know You” and “This is the true God and eternal life” do not reference time. No scripture in the New Testament equates eternal life with the idea of living forever. When the term “eternal life” appears in verses that mention living forever, it is always presented as a separate concept.…who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; Romans 2:6-7 and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:30b, Luke 18:30b. Even when describing God, the writers of Scripture make a distinction between ‘eternal’ and ‘immortal.’ They use these two terms with purpose, as each carries a unique meaning. ‘Eternal’ speaks to the quality of God’s life whereas ‘immortal’ refers specifically to the unending duration of His existence. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:16-17. The end of this earthly life is merely the doorway into the next. Yes, we will live forever with God in the New Kingdom, and yes, that life is eternal. But this everlasting life is possible only because we already possess God’s eternal life. We received it when we first accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, taking His sacrifice on the Cross personally into our hearts and lives. As Christians, we now carry this eternal life within us—it changes our lives and prepares us for the moment we leave this world. It’s an intriguing thought: *having eternal life to face death*—“O death, where is your sting?”
Eternal life is God’s own divine life, a gift that is given the moment we first believe. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. John 6:47. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:54. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13. Understanding the biblical meaning of eternal life helps us cherish and appreciate the immeasurable gift we possess as followers of Christ. It inspires us to live each day with purpose, seeking to cultivate a closer relationship with God and sharing the hope of eternal life with others. Eternal life is not simply the quantity (how long) but also the quality of life (how good).
What Does it Mean to Have Eternal Life? Erik Raymond considers some other facts about eternal life: 1. It is found exclusively in Jesus. There are no secret doors into the Commonwealth of the Eternally happy! There is only one entry point and one pass code. His name is Jesus. Acts 4:12; 1 Jn 5.11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 2. It is received by believing in Jesus. One may only enter eternal life by faith, that is by believing in Christ, trusting in His finished work, and treasuring his supreme worth. Jn 3.14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 3. It is the only satisfying option for the hungry and thirsty soul. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, she was hungry and hurting; reeling from her sin stained past. He speaks to this woman of his ability to satisfy the quenching thirst of her soul. How does he do this? He gives eternal life.(John 4.13-15) Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” This is exactly what he does in John chapter 6 when he speaks of giving his body and blood to those who are hungry and thirsty. The point here is that eternal life is knowing God (Jn. 17.3) through Jesus Christ. This satisfies the hungry thirsty soul forever! 4. It is a gift of God’s grace. We do not earn this life nor do we merit its continuation. The experience of this life is all of grace.(Rom. 6.23). For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 5. It is something that we can know that we have now. (1 John 5:13). 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. John’s goal was to provide clarity and confidence to those who believe in Christ. He wanted them to know that eternal life was to be enjoyed by experience as they believe. In other words, for all who presently believe in Christ there is eternal life to be presently enjoyed! This will get you up in the morning! When we think of eternal life the way that Jesus and his Apostles lay it out then we are truly encouraged. Our minds and hearts are unfastened from the rusted out, sinking ship of this world and firmly applied to the soul-satisfying truth of God’s eternal word. This is the charter of the eternal kingdom! The happiness, satisfaction, freedom, confidence, comfort, and humility that come to the believer are the beams that radiate from the center of the gospel. This sight and warmth we feel as Christians is what I mean by quality of life. It is this that colors in our concept of duration of life. It is real life indeed! And it lasts forever!
To sum up, Topical Encyclopedia on Eternal Life as a Present and Future Reality, further describes Eternal life, within the Christian tradition, is understood as both a present possession and a future hope for believers. It is a life that transcends physical death and is characterized by an everlasting communion with God. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of the New Testament.
Biblical Foundation: 1. Present Reality: Eternal life is not merely a future promise but a present reality for those who believe in Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “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” (John 5:24). This passage emphasizes that eternal life begins at the moment of faith, marking a transition from spiritual death to life. Furthermore, in John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life in relational terms: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” Here, eternal life is described as an intimate knowledge of God, suggesting a present, ongoing relationship with the divine. 2. Future Reality: While eternal life is experienced in the present, it also holds a future dimension that is fully realized in the age to come. The Apostle Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift, while presently received, points to a future consummation when believers will experience the fullness of life with God. The future aspect of eternal life is further highlighted in the book of Revelation, where the promise of eternal life is associated with the new heaven and new earth. Revelation 21:4 describes a time when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away” . This vision underscores the ultimate fulfillment of eternal life in a restored creation. Apostle Paul in Romans 6:23 says we will be punished for the wrongs we have done on earth if we have not accepted Jesus as our Savior. We all deserved death, but Jesus took all the penalties and sins upon Him, and gave a beautiful gift of eternal life, making us spend the rest of the infinite time with Him. What a great gift it is! Have you obtained this awesome gift? If you have done, you have assurance of salvation and daily walking out your salvation?