Jesus Is the Way: To Eternal Life (Conclusion)

"Time is short. Eternity is long. It's only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity."   - Charles Spurgeon

"What is eternal life..?" For humans, that is a timeless, and perplexing question. Whenever the word “eternal” is brought up, it naturally brings to mind the endless length of time.

Our existence here on earth, our lives, are governed by the rhythms of time and seasons. What we know is what we can see, touch, hear, and taste. Anything more than that tends to try, or strain our finite minds.

On that note, we've now arrived at the final installment of our study "Jesus Is the Way." Before we launch into this lesson, I think it's only fitting to briefly reflect on where our study has taken us, thus far.

We have learned that Jesus is:

• the way to a better life; an abundant life in that we have an adoring, generous Father in Heaven who offers plentiful provision for those who are ready and eager to follow Him. (John 10:10; Matthew 6:31-33; Mark 10:29-30)
• the way to forgiveness of our sins; in that He is the only remedy for it; and that is because God provides forgiveness of sins through Jesus. (Romans 3:23, 6:23; 1 John 4:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; Luke 24:46-47; Mark 16:16)
• the only way to God; Jesus came to reconcile our broken relationship with God; "eternal life" would not be possible otherwise. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20; John 14:6, 17:2-3)
• the way out of religious turmoil and division; caused by conflicting doctrines and the myriad of different churches; Jesus desires unity, not confusion and discord. (Matthew 12:25, 16:18; John 17:20-21)

Now, let me draw your attention to the fact that Jesus is the Way to Eternal Life! The word "eternal" raises thoughts of something that is: everlasting, never-ending, endless, perpetual, without end, etc. 

If you recall, eternal life isn't possible without having an intimate relationship with both, the Father and the Son. Jesus offers eternal life to us, but we must be willing to confess our sins, repent, and accept him as our Lord and Savior (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9).

To expand on this, I refer you to John 17:3. Here Jesus explains what "eternal life" is for us. "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Simply put, eternal life is knowing (recognizing, perceiving) who God is. 

Everything living thing here on earth shares one commonality: death. We all will die at some point. It is inevitable. Scripture verifies this fact for us (Ecclesiastes 9:2-4; Hebrews 9:27a). 

After our death, we then will face judgement for our lives here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10). Here, we can think of death as a portal or threshold to either "eternal life," or "eternal condemnation" (Matthew 25:46).

I realize this may sound discouraging and disheartening, but it really isn't. I mentioned earlier that Jesus offers us "eternal life." But how do we achieve it? It is vitally important that we place our trust in Jesus Christ, and no one else, for salvation.

There is no other way, but by faith alone; faith in Him. By our dying to Jesus, we die in the way to "eternal life" (John 11:25, 17:3). And as He promises he will fulfill, because Jesus is the Way to Eternal Life (John 3:16).

This ends our study into the areas of which Jesus is the Way. I would like to thank you for walking through these lessons with me. It has been my pleasure having you along! I pray that Jesus Christ will always bless you, and light your path (Psalms 119:105).

Scripture: John 5:24; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:25; Acts 4:12; Galatians 6:8 

Prayer: "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."  - 1 John 5:20 (ESV)

May God bless you!

Brandi