Eternal Life: The Promise of Everlasting Life with God
Often called heaven, this next-life existence with God and all who love Him represents the ultimate hope and destiny for believers throughout history. It is the fulfillment of God's promise to those who have placed their faith in Him, offering a future free from suffering and filled with His glorious presence.
The Nature of Eternal Life
Eternal life is the perpetual state of believers (genuine Christians) in the presence of God. There will be no death, sickness, or evil present, and it is characterized by joyful worship and service to God. This stands in contrast with eternal damnation, where those who reject God's offer of salvation are separated from God and punished (Mt 22:30; Jn 14:2-3; 2 Thes 1:8-9; Rev 21:4, 22:3). In this glorious state, believers will experience perfect peace, unending joy, and the fullness of God's love in ways that surpass our current understanding.
The Path to Eternal Life
This heavenly existence is exclusively prepared for those who repent of their sins and, by accepting God's offer of salvation, have "crossed over from death to life," becoming "new creations…set free from sin" and given the right to be called His sons and daughters (Jn 1:12, 3:15-16, 5:24, 10:28; Rom 6:22, 10:9-10; 2 Cor 5:17). This involves more than just saying the sinner's prayer, then continuing in the same ungodly lifestyle as before.
Have I passed from death to life – John 5:24
Not all who claim to be Christians will be in Heaven, but only those who love and obey God and show mercy to others (Mt 7:21-23, 25:31-48; Mk 12:30-31; Lk 10:25-28; Heb 5:9). Jesus is the only way to reach Heaven, and by intimately knowing Him, we have assurance of eternal life (Jn 14:6, 17:3; Act 4:12; 1 Jn 5:11-13).
Jesus is the only route to heaven
This intimate relationship with Christ is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep, personal connection that transforms every aspect of our being. It involves daily communion with Him through prayer, studying His Word, and surrendering our will to His. The evidence of genuine salvation is a life that increasingly reflects His character—marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Evidence of True Salvation
Although we can't earn the gift of salvation, its acceptance should be evident in the lives of those who are truly saved – as a changed lifestyle with a different motivation, doing good works and having a true love for others (Mt 3:8, 5:16; Lk 6:44; Jn 5:39-40; Eph 2:8-10, 6:6; Tit 2:12; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 4:7-8).
By making God's claims on your life more important than anything else, through "working out your own salvation with fear and trembling…making your election and calling sure," you will also experience earthly life in its richness besides eternal life (Mt 10:39; Lk 18:29-30; Jn 10:10, 12:25; Phil 2:12; 2 Pet 1:10).
Living in the assurance of salvation
Reflection and Application:
- Examine your heart: Have you genuinely crossed from death to life through faith in Christ?
- Consider: Is there evidence of transformed life in your daily actions and attitudes?
- Reflect: Do you love and obey God, showing mercy to others as evidence of your faith?
- Evaluate: Are you making God's claims on your life more important than anything else?
See also: assurance, Christian, divine judgement, election, eternal/eternity, eternal damnation, eternal security, heaven, rewards, salvation, sinners prayer.