ETERNAL LIFE
Everyone longs for “eternal life”. Many individuals turn to Christ largely because of the promise of everlasting life; they often feel disheartened by the turmoil and negativity permeating the world around them. Faced with overwhelming challenges, they seek a means of escape, whether it be wishing for an end to all suffering, praying for God to take them home, or desiring to die in order to attain heavenly peace.
But what exactly does eternal life entail? To gain a clearer understanding, let us refer to the source of this promise: Jesus Christ. In John 17:3, it is declared, “Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent.” This passage highlights that eternal life is fundamentally about a profound, personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ. The journey toward eternal life begins with believing in Jesus, the Son of God, who came to offer salvation to humanity. As stated in John 3:16, “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” This verse emphasizes the depth of God’s love and the essential requirement of faith in Jesus for attaining eternal life. Believing in Jesus not only grants access to eternal life; it initiates a lifelong journey of deepening one’s knowledge and relationship with the Lord. This transformative relationship does not conclude with physical death; rather, it continues beyond into the eternal realm, particularly at the time of the rapture for those who are still living when Jesus returns to gather his followers.
In John 14:2-3, Jesus assures us, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this unless it were true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.” This promise conveys the hope and certainty of a personal, eternal dwelling with God for those who believe. Additionally, at the resurrection, believers who have died in Christ will be raised to life, affirming the promise of eternal fellowship with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 explains, “With a loud command, with the shout of the chief angel, and with the blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then, those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From then on, we will all be with the Lord forever.” This vivid depiction illustrates the glorious reunion that awaits believers, highlighting both resurrection and transformation.
It is crucial to understand that living forever is not equivalent to possessing eternal life. Every person born into this world will exist for eternity; however, the critical factor determining their ultimate destination lies in whether they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, granting them access to true, abundant life.
So, what responsibilities come with this gift of eternal life? In 1 Timothy 6:12, we are encouraged: “Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” This verse serves as a call to action, urging believers to actively pursue and hold on to the gift of eternal life with diligence and perseverance.
We must firmly grasp this eternal life and ensure that it does not slip away from us. This requires our earnest attention to knowing Jesus in a meaningful way. The deeper we delve into this relationship, the more we reflect his character, ultimately leading us towards the fulfillment of the promise that we will be with him forever. By fostering this connection, we embrace the transformative journey that eternal life offers, both now and in the world to come.
