What is eternal life?
It's a life transformed by union with God
The Apostle Paul wrote that “we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
“Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.” (1st John 2:10)
Jesus the Christ brought a message about the Kingdom of God. The accounts of his life were called gospels, which means good news. He explained that to enter this kingdom requires the Spirit of God and this would enable a person to live on earth at the highest level of love and righteousness in union with God. All that is required to is have faith in Jesus.
To have faith in Jesus means to believe in the truth of who He was: the Word who was with God from the beginning, but revealed as the Father’s only begotten Son, sent to earth to fulfil the long-promised mission of restoration humankind’s relationship with God. Since our separation that took place in the ancient Garden of Eden, God’s passion has been to rectify this fracture and destroy all the works of evil that separate us and so reconcile us to Himself.
The Kingdom of God has begun, but is not fully visible yet. Jesus said it would take time to grow, as each person, one at a time, enters in and begins to change the world. He was not someone who simply instituted another religion on this planet – filled with challenging rules of behaviour and carefully observed rituals. How does one enter this kingdom while on earth and receive the Spirit of God? As his disciple wrote, “Whoever believes in the Son of God… has eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:10-11).
To “believe in Jesus” is a loaded statement. It means to believe that Jesus died by crucifixion to pay the penalty for our sins which legally reverses humankind’s betrayal in the ancient Garden. Then we are fit to be born of God’s Spirit, for, as Jesus explained, “flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:6). He came first to the ancient people of God, the Jews, although many did not believe he was the Christ who was prophesied to come. “But (as His disciple declared) to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
But there is much more to this good news than just being born into eternal life. It’s the promise of a life that empowers believers to live on earth at the highest level of love and righteousness because they remain in union with God. It is not like any other religion that requires special knowledge and willpower to obey a demanding lifestyle. That approach is doomed to failure because of the frailty of human nature which is clearly prone to error and weakness. What is required is a radical transformation of the soul.
Jesus described what happens when a person is born of God and receives the Holy Spirit: “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” (John 7: 38). It is the Spirit whose job it is to transform believers into the likeness of Jesus as we cooperate with that process. A believing soul, says Paul, “… which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:24).
This is not wishful idealism or some kind of not-really-yet stuff, but is consistent with the truth that Jesus walked among us as a human being and yet was without sin. As the Apostle Peter declared, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through… so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature... (2nd Peter 1:3-4)
This is what eternal life is all about: here and now. It is the great hope of the gospel, really good news! And the only hope to see God’s kingdom come to earth so his will is done here as in heaven. And the only hope to win over a world captive to sin and prisoners to false ideologies. If we can’t show them Jesus, we have failed in the great commission.
But, to be sure, this transformation process is not automatic nor well understood. That is why it is taught poorly, brushed over, and barely practiced. Indeed, many have given up completely and deny such a life is possible even though the New Testament consistently declares it. They have concluded it is enough to simply be born of God and wait for their number to be called into heaven.
No, the message is clear, as John explained in varies ways in his first letter: “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. (1st John 2:6) Yet the process takes some unpacking and practice and experiencing to make it happen. That’s what this book (podcast) is all about. One step at a time we’ll go through the transformation process.
But here is the central point right away: We must love one another. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
Reflect: Did I once have bigger hopes of what life could be like as a believer? How well have I processed my adjustments of those hopes?
Prayer: Jesus, open the eyes of my heart that I may perceive wonderful inheritance that you intend for me to experience as one who has given my life to you.
Journal: Get the equipment you need that you can most easily access and use to write your thoughts as you process this grand investigation and growth in your spiritual journey.
Reflect: Did I once have bigger hopes of what life could be like as a believer? How well have I processed my adjustments of those hopes?
Prayer: Jesus, open the eyes of my heart that I may perceive wonderful inheritance that you intend for me to experience as one who has given my life to you.
Journal: Get the equipment you need that you can most easily access and use to write your thoughts as you process this grand investigation and growth in your spiritual journey.
A whole lot of good stuff here. I would like to add that believing in Jesus is much more than intellectual belief or assent that Jesus died for our sins. Unfortunately most of us don't read Greek, so we are relying on inadequate translations. The Greek word for believe goes beyond intellectual assent and includes trusting in, relying on and clinging to Jesus. It is complete commitment and devotion to the person of Jesus and opening our spirits to receiving the Holy Spirit. We also know that true faith produces works, primarily because we are listening to His leading and our hearts are filled with His love and compassion for others. In John, Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments." Our love for him should compel us to want to know his commandments (which are mostly in the other gospels) and motivate us to obey them, which produces joy in our close fellowship. Thanks for the opportunity to share here! Blessings to your ministry!
Interesting and well thought out article I thought, Glen. This is a massive topic with so many levels of "uncovering" and understanding.