In last week’s post, we learned about the beauty of Christianity. We learned about the finished work of Christ and how it has liberated every believer from the burden of trying to attain righteousness through our own strength. Today’s post brings into perspective the cherry on the cake: Eternal Life. Sin meant death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:23). This, in itself, is truly beautiful. 

Eternal life simply means a life that lasts forever or is unending. For some people, this is good news and dreadful news for others. The idea of living unendingly seems so tiresome. However, eternal life –at least in scriptural terms –does not just mean living for an unending period of time. It is not just about living on and on. It is more about the quality of life than the quantity. It is the privilege to be before God at all times and the opportunity to live the same quality of life He lives. 

This is why eternal life is not a concept that only comes into being after we die. It starts here on Earth. The scripture tells us that he who believes “has” eternal life (Jn. 6:47). The emphasis is on has. It doesn’t say “will have”. Therefore, that opportunity to constantly be before God’s presence and live His quality of life, while being separated from the cold hands of death forever, starts on Earth. 

It is an expression of God’s love for us. When we were still in rebellion against God, He was busy giving us a way to avoid the consequences of that rebellion (Rom. 5:8; Jn. 3:16). Eternal life saves us from eternal death (anguish, sorrow, and separation from God). It means peace over troubles, power over the enemy, joy even in sorrow, and healing even in pain. It means eternal victory. It is assurance for our souls after life on earth, that there is life beyond this life here. In this kingdom we don’t die, we transition. 

Eternal life is the God-type of life. It is the life of Christ.

And someone could ask, what is the proof that I already have eternal life? The presence of the Holy Spirit is evidence of eternal life. We, as believers, are assured of life beyond this life because of the deposition of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. What greater comfort or joy is there than to know that when we close our eyes in death on earth, we open them to life in heaven? There is no fear or confusion about where we end up after we leave this world because we have a Witness in our hearts that also bears testimony that we are the sons (and daughters) of God. (Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22 NIV)

Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6). Again, He testifies of Himself that He is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25). Not just any life, but that which is eternal. Therefore, there is only one way to partake of this eternal life and that is to be a part of Jesus Christ. It is he who believes that has eternal life. God doesn’t want any of us to perish and that’s why He made Jesus the propitiation for our sins. Only through our faith in Him can we be saved and come into eternal life (Jn. 3:16). 

Today presents you with the opportunity to receive salvation if you have not done that before or you have backslidden. Say this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I thank you for your sacrifice of love for me. I make you the Lord over my life today and forever. From now on, I live in the eternal life you have given to me. Amen”.