Eternal LifeSample

What is eternal life?

Jesus says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

What eternal life is Jesus talking about here?

Many think it refers to having eternal life with God. Although this verse effectively teaches that we will not be lost, it means much more than continuing to live after death and never ceasing to exist.

The truth is that human beings are eternal beings. When we die physically, our soul and spirit will simply live on (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This means that it is not necessary to be saved to receive eternal life. Everyone, believer or unbeliever, continues to live forever.

However, the question is: Where do you live forever? In the presence of God (heaven) or in the darkest darkness where God is not (hell)?

Therefore, "eternal life" means something else.

Jesus says in his Priestly Prayer in John 17:3, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."

You can be forgiven of all your sins, and you can be saved for eternity, but that is not the only purpose for which God gave his only begotten Son.

Jesus came so that you may have eternal life: a life in which you know God intimately and personally. He wants to be your Father, and you are his son or daughter (2 Corinthians 6:18).

God wants you to know Him as a loving and merciful Father. Someone you can trust. One you can always count on and who will never abandon you.

A Father who never gets angry with you, does not condemn or reject you, but always believes in you. One who is unconditional love, no matter where you come from, what you did and shouldn't have done, or what you didn't do but should have done. A Father with open arms to receive you and love you.

That is the eternal life that Jesus speaks of: that you will come to know God, the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, plus you will live eternally with God.

You may be wondering: And how can I come to know God the Father in that way? We'll talk about that tomorrow.