Eternal Life

The word heaven can bring to mind different pictures in people’s minds, because it is shrouded in mystery. Yet, the Bible also speaks of eternity or eternal life frequently.

“This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” (John 17:3 CEB)

True Dichotomy

Some dilemmas are what we call a false dichotomy because there are other alternatives. But in eternity there exists a true dichotomy. There are only two destinations and they are mutually exclusive.

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46 ESV)

What is that righteousness?

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…” (Romans 3:21-22 ESV)

What is the result of that faith?

“Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life.” (John 3:15 CEV)

At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said that the bread is His body and the wine is His blood. Is partaking of communion important for eternal life?

“Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:54 HCSB)

Who has the message of eternal life?

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68 KJV)

A Paradox

There is a paradox about this mortal life and eternal life.

“The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” (John 12:25 NASB)

Who has the authority to grant eternal life?

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ ” (John 17:1-3 NIV)

Are some appointed or ordained to eternal life?

“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed [ordained] to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48 NKJV)

Do we have our part to play or are we just passive?

“to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life” (Romans 2:7 WEB)

Must we fight and grab hold of eternal life?

“Fight a good fight for the faith and claim eternal life. God offered it to you when you clearly told about your faith, while so many people listened.” (1 Timothy 6:12 CEV)

A Gift and a Promise

Is eternal life a gift?

“The wages that sin pays are death, but God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 CEB)

Is eternal life a promise?

“And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:25 ESV)

Can we know that we have eternal life?

“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.” (1 John 5:13 HCSB)

Will you grab hold of this gift of eternal life and persevere? Will you rest in the promises of the One who has the authority to grant us eternal life? You decide!