Christ Is Eternal Life

Thinking of the fullness and duration of this wonderful life, W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of a past generation, spoke from his own experience just before he died. He said, "I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, 'You have an illness from which you won't recover.' I walked out to where I live 5 miles from Portland, Oregon, and I looked across at that mountain that I love. I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul.

Then in the evening I looked up into the great sky where God was lighting His lamps, and I said, ' I may not see you many more times, but Mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and River, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea; and Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen from your sockets in the great down pulling of the material universe!' "   - W. B. Hinson. 

A major theme in the gospel of Christ is eternal life.  For example, Jesus was crucified in order to offer eternal life (John 3:14-16). And, Romans 6:23 tells us that, "Eternal life in Christ Jesus is the gift of God."

But, many might wonder, "What exactly is eternal life?" Is is just a future blessing related to life after death? Maybe it's a present possession, something that delights us here in our earthly life? Perhaps, we should turn to the Bible for an answer.
 
There are a couple of ways to consider eternal life. We can regard it either in the present, or in the future. There are many references to eternal life as a future blessing. Jesus spoke of it in: Matthew 25:46 and Mark 10:28-30. Paul wrote about it in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and Romans 6:22.

Various individuals think of eternal life as a future blessing. They see it as an everlasting existence in the presence of God. One that is free from death, sorrow, and pain (Revelation 21:1-7). One that is available in this life as a hope. It is quite scriptural to think of eternal life as a hope for the future.

Now let's examine eternal life as a present possession. On several occasions John writes about eternal life as a present possession. He speaks about it as that which is abiding in one, or not (1 John 3:14-15). Or, that we have eternal life because God has given it to us (1 John 5:11-13).

What John does here, is he uses the phrase "eternal life" in a special sense to describe a quality of life. He is describing the quality of life that comes from knowing both God, and His Son Jesus Christ. We can also see this in the way that Jesus uses it in His "High Priestly Prayer" (John 17:3).

When one looks at it from this angle, they can see life as a present possession. Thus, when  we come to know God and Jesus, we are blessed with a quality of life unsurpassed by anything offered by the world. This quality of life being a mere taste of the future blessing we shall have with God.

In this regard, we can safely say that this quality of life is "eternal life," and that our present life with God is only the beginning of spending eternity with Him. Therefore, since Jesus discussed eternal life both ways, it truly is a future blessing and a present possession.

In closing, eternal life is a blessing that is acquired from knowing God and Jesus Christ in a personal, yet progressive manner. And, it's enjoyment is derived only by keeping the commandments of both God and Christ.

Scripture: Romans 10:13; Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15; John 14:23; Ephesians 2:8  

Prayer: Dear Jesus, though it's hard for me to conceive of what eternity might be like; the simple fact that You will be waiting there for me, offering me eternal life with You, is all I need to know. Amen

God bless you,

Kendall