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An eternal life is the highest possible good obtained through a knowledge of God. It is the ultimate blessing of human salvation.
Additionally, it is realized through the gift of God’s beloved Son to the world. For the joy to be with you for eternity, Jesus endured the cross.
He arose victoriously over sin and death as the first fruit unto God. Thus to be one of the human family, retaining forever His human nature.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11.
So, fasten your faith to the eternal throne. When God gave His Son, He gave us all in that precious gift.
He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32.
Table of contents
- A knowledge of eternal life
- An everlasting life as the gift of God
- Laying it all by sacrifice
- Conclusion on eternal life as a gift in Christ
A knowledge of eternal life
The knowledge of God is a knowledge which will not be left behind when our probation closes. It has lasting benefits and usefulness for believers in this life and for eternal life.
In His prayer to the Father, Christ gave to the world an important lesson. He said:
Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify Thee.
As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh (people), that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.
This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. John 17:1-3.
Knowing God and His Son from His Word and from a daily life experience imparts power. It transforms the individual into the image of God.
Additionally, God reveals to us the deep things of Himself through His Spirit.
Jesus said to His audience:
Search the Scriptures; For in them ye think ye have eternal life. And they are the ones which testify of Me. John 5:39.
Christ Himself has declared to be eternal life. He is the eternal Word that was made flesh and the True Witness who said of His sheep:
I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life.
They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. Matthew 10:27, 28.
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About the author
Bojko Belovsky – founder of God’s Love Gateway
My promise to you: Always genuine Christ-centered messages for your life growth now leading to eternity.
Understanding the information/education of salvation
Without the help which none but God can give, human wisdom of spiritual things are but weakness and ignorance.
The Bible is the most comprehensive account of God, humanity and their relationship.
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence. But the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom giveth life to those who have it. Ecclesiastes 7:12.
Furthermore, Jesus said:
It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.
In His Word, God has revealed to humanity every truth essential for our salvation. And the gift of eternal life is promised on the condition of saving faith in His Son.
For example:
The holy scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scriptures are given by the inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:15, 16.
Therefore, search the Scriptures, for they are the counsel of God, His voice speaking to your soul.
An everlasting life as the gift of God
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
Peter had confessed the truth which is the foundation of the believer’s faith. Jesus asked His disciples: Who say ye that I am? Then Peter said:
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16.
At another occasion Jesus asked the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered Him:
Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:68, 69.
So, the Divine Son of God became Emmanuel – God with us. He can bestow to believers what the Deity only has.
For example:
- The hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. But hath in due times manifested in His Word. Titus 1:2, 3.
- For the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26.
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Receiving the eternal reward by grace through faith
By grace you are saved through faith. And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8.
Eternal life is an infinite gift. So, it can never be earned by anyone. As a gift it must be received by faith, and gratitude and praise be offered to God.
By faith we bring to God the merits of Christ.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.
That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7.
The eternal reward is not bestowed because of our merits. But, the fruit borne in life testifies to the condition of one’s heart and character.
Good work can never buy salvation, but it is an evidence of the faith.
Laying it all by sacrifice
Christ had borne our sins in His own body on the cross. It demonstrated that God is just to Himself and His law of love by which He governs the entire Universe.
Moreover, it showed that God can justify those who believe in the atoning sacrifice of His beloved Son.
The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice. The apostle Paul said:
Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity. Titus 2:14. And we get the ultimate blessing of His redemption – an everlasting life with Him and the Father.
Christ has made an infinite sacrifice. He gave his own life for us.
So, does it seem a small thing that He should endure all this, that we might become:
- Members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.
- Heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
- Partakers of an immortal inheritance.
The Son of God, the member of the Godhead condescended to the level of fallen humanity. His love for you constrained Him to bear in His body the sin of the broken world.
Thus we have the assurance of a Saviour who has come, been crucified and risen. Furthermore, who has proclaimed:
I Am the resurrection, and the life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25.
The question for all of us is: What sacrifice have we made in response to this infinite sacrifice?
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He arose from the dead and lives
Christ is the resurrection and the life for believers. The life that was lost through sin is restored in Him.
For He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. John 5:21.
Thus was proved the truth of His claim:
I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. John 10:17, 18
Moreover, He fulfilled the prophecy He had spoken: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:19.
These words could be spoken only by the Deity, who has the power to break the bonds of death. He is a conqueror of the grave and asserted His right and power to give eternal life.
For example:
- But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.
- Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood (metaphor), hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54.
So, He who hath the Son hath life. 1 John 5:12.
Conclusion on the eternal gift as gift in Christ
He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25.
Through the knowledge of Christ is life eternal. All His words of revelation to humanity are spirit and life.
Christ loved us and gave His life for us. He died on the cross to give us an opportunity to gain the crown of eternal life.
He lives. His divinity is the believer’s assurance of immortality.
So, Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life, where-unto thou art also called. 1 Timothy 6:12.
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References
COL 114; DA 314, 530, 785 – The Ellen G. White Estate
Where to go from here
- Read John 6 in KJV BIble – Full chapter study, following along this post references.
- How To Study The Bible? – Apply these principles for clear spiritual discernment.
- Grow in Christ category – Laying hold on the gift of eternity in Jesus by unwavering faith when in his life.
- God’s Love Content Hub – All Christ-centered teaching in one place.
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- What resonated with you most in this post, and why?
- Do you see how the faith working by love supports the believer? It helps them hold on to the blessed hope of eternal life.
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