What is Eternal Life
Eternal life, in the Christian context, refers to a life that transcends physical death, characterized by a perpetual, unending existence in the presence of God. It is a central promise of the Christian faith, often associated with living in the Kingdom of God after death.
Key Aspects of Eternal Life:
- Relationship with God: Eternal life is fundamentally about a personal, intimate relationship with God. Jesus said in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
- Quality of Life: It is not just about the duration but also the quality of life. It involves experiencing the fullness of life, peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from being in communion with God.
- Present and Future Reality: While eternal life is often thought of as a future promise, it begins in the present. Believers start experiencing aspects of eternal life here and now through their relationship with Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
- Salvation and Redemption: Eternal life is a gift of God’s grace, granted through faith in Jesus Christ. It involves being saved from sin and its consequences and being redeemed for a life with God.
- Resurrection: Eternal life includes the belief in the resurrection of the dead. Christians believe that, just as Jesus was raised from the dead, they too will be resurrected to eternal life (John 11:25-26).
What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?
The question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is one that has been asked throughout the ages and is central to Christian belief. This question is found in several places in the New Testament, notably in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. By examining these passages, we can gain a deeper understanding of what Jesus taught about eternal life and how we can apply these teachings to our lives today.
The Rich Young Ruler
One of the most well-known instances of this question appears in the story of the rich young ruler. This account is found in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23. In Mark’s version, the story begins:
“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?'” (Mark 10:17, NIV)
Jesus responds by listing several commandments:
“‘You know the commandments: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.”‘” (Mark 10:19, NIV)
The young man asserts that he has kept all these commandments since he was a boy. Jesus then tells him:
“One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21, NIV)
The young man is saddened by this answer because he has great wealth, and he walks away grieving. Jesus then uses this moment to teach his disciples about the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, emphasizing that it is not wealth itself, but attachment to it, that can be a barrier.
The Greatest Commandments
Another significant passage is found in Luke 10:25-28, where an expert in the law tests Jesus:
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?'” (Luke 10:25, NIV)
Jesus responds by asking him what is written in the Law. The expert answers:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27, NIV)
Jesus tells him that he has answered correctly and that he should do this to live. This exchange highlights the importance of love—both for God and for others—as central to inheriting eternal life.
Faith in Jesus
In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ teachings emphasize belief in Him as the key to eternal life. One of the most quoted verses in the Bible, John 3:16, succinctly captures this:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
This verse underlines the necessity of faith in Jesus as the path to eternal life, emphasizing God’s love and the sacrificial gift of His Son.
Putting It All Together
From these passages, we can discern several key elements about inheriting eternal life:
- Obedience to God’s Commandments: Jesus affirms the importance of the commandments, but He also points out that legalistic adherence is not enough if one’s heart is not fully devoted to God.
- Detachment from Worldly Possessions: The story of the rich young ruler teaches that wealth and material possessions should not hold a central place in our lives. True treasure lies in heaven.
- Love for God and Others: The greatest commandments highlight that love is the fulfillment of the law. Loving God wholly and loving our neighbors as ourselves are crucial components of eternal life.
- Faith in Jesus: Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is through Him that eternal life is granted.
In summary, inheriting eternal life according to the teachings of Jesus involves a heart fully devoted to God, a life marked by love for others, detachment from material wealth, and, fundamentally, faith in Jesus Christ. By embracing these principles, we align ourselves with the path to eternal life as taught in the Scriptures.