Eternal Life -Part 1

ETERNAL LIFE – Part 1

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Every living thing has a type of life, which defines its possibilities.

There is the life of the animal and there is the life of the plant. The life of maize plant differs from that of the cocoa and the iroko tree. The lion is in its own class and will not eat grass like goats because that’s not among its possibilities.

The type of life in operation is what defines the possibilities –lifespan, height, features, food, etc., of the living thing.

Humans have their own peculiarities. They walk on their two legs, use their mind productively, feed themselves with their hands etc – they have their way of behaving. Also, they are prone to several challenges like sickness, weakness, lack and ultimately, death.

One thing of note is that this life is passed through birth. That is why the life of the offspring of goats must be the same with that of the progenitors, and the same applies to every other living thing, man inclusive. It is an aberration when the offspring does not look like the parents.

In the same vein, God also has his own life. It is called ETERNAL LIFE.

Dictionaries may define eternal as existing without end. While this may be true about the eternal nature of the life of God, but it is far beyond that.

What is Eternal Life?

Eternal life is a complete, indestructible, incorruptible, endless life. It is a life of all possibilities.

Adam, before the fall, was a clear example of what it means to have eternal life. He had unrestricted access to interact with God, thereby reflecting His glory in all areas as Moses did on return from the mountain. He was able to extend God’s creation, single handedly named all the animals and plants – and this includes the birds in the air, the fishes in the sea and all wild beasts, everything on earth was under his control. Satan was helpless about him. As wicked as satan was, he couldn’t do anything to him, until Adam gave up this life by corrupting it with sin.

A better example is Christ Jesus when He was on earth. He exemplified this life to the fullest. He demonstrated all possibilities that are available in this life. Nature was under his command (calmed the storms, walked upon the sea etc), sicknesses and diseases couldn’t stand him, He commanded provision at will, everyone that encountered Him, had a privilege to taste the impact of this everlasting life – the blind saw, the lame walked, the dead raised back to life, demon oppressed fellows set free, healed all manner of sicknesses and diseases.

The ultimate of this life is not just that it gives you authority to live a full life on earth, but a full life forever.

This is the life that God is offering you. It’s a complete life.

‘…that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life.’

What do you stand to gain or lose by accepting or not accepting this offer?

Option 1: If you don’t accept this offer.

Gain:            The world will love you and validate you if don’t accept the offer of eternal life.

‘If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own’

John 15:19

Loss:   You will lose the validation and applause of God. Jesus said –

‘Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’

Luke 9:26

Analysis:       When choosing validation, it’s wise to choose that of the person that has the greatest influence over issues that determine your wellbeing and future, especially when they have your good will at heart. The prodigal son sought and got the validation of the world around him, but it only lasted until he lost all his substance, and he began sharing meals with the pigs. That is what always happen when you choose the worlds validation above that of God, when your substance is spent, the world turns its back on you.

Option 2: When you accept the offer of Eternal Life.

Gain: 

‘But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name’

John 1:12

Like earlier mentioned, goats transmit goat life to their offspring, men transmit human life to their offspring. Also, God transmit God life (eternal life) to His children.

Once you believe in Jesus and accept Him as your savior, you become a child of God. That automatically qualifies you to share in the life of God – eternal life. You know this is a mystery, as it’s not logical to human thinking. But the only option you have is to accept it, because there is no way goat can understand human life, same way, there is no way, man can understand eternal life. To really understand this life, you need to accept it, thereby receiving it and then allowing the Spirit, that powers this new life to give you a clear understanding of it.

The summary of this is that you become a child of God, you are sure of eternal peace in Him, and you dominate the world once you grow to sonship.

Loss:   The world is likely to persecute you because you have decided to choose life rather than the death it offers. Remember, Jesus said –

‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.’

John 10:10

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

John 15:18-20

Analysis: Yes, the world will definitely hate you for being a child of God. That hatred is not from people, but from Satan, because he knows you are going to spend eternity in the place of bliss where he was but can no longer be. The good news is that God is able to keep you. Satan couldn’t touch Jesus all through His life on earth. Even the crucifixion didn’t happen because they hanged him, He only chose to fulfil prophecy, in order to save mankind.

How do I get this Eternal Life?

‘But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:’

John 1: 12

‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’

Romans 10:9-10

Simply put, you have Eternal Life by accepting Jesus Christ into your Life.

He came to redeem mankind from sin and death. He died for this purpose. But He rose from the dead on the third day. Within these three days that He was in the grave, He went to hell and retrieved the right and power of attorney that Adam lost to satan. He released those that were in hell that believed in him. Today, He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and He is Coming back again to Judge the whole world.

All this He did, paying the price that you would have paid. Today He is asking you, will you accept my offer of everlasting life? He is saying, I died for you and went to hell for you, do you still want to die eternally in hell?

My dear friend, this offer of eternal Life by Christ Jesus is the greatest treasure any man can get. It’s worth more than having major shares in any fortune 500 company, it’s worth more than a goldmine.

No matter what you acquire in this life, when you die, you’ll go with NONE of it.

But if you have eternal life, you go with it when you leave this world.

I invite you to a life of peace and eternal assurance in Christ. You’d be sure that He will be your partner navigating this wild world unhurt. Please pray this prayer of decision with me –

LORD JESUS, I believe that you are the son of God. Thank you for dying in my place and rising again from death for my salvation and justification. Today, I confess you as the Lord of my life. I ask that your cleansing blood wash away my sins and make me clean before the Father.
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who enables me live victoriously everyday and to bring me spotless into your kingdom and eternal rest.
Thank you for the gift of my salvation.
In Jesus Name.Amen.