The witness that a Christian bears is that,
through the work of the crucified Christ and the twofold testimony of the
Spirit, he or she now possesses eternal life. This life is both a gift from God
and is located in Jesus himself. But how can we describe it?
Some focus on the word ‘eternal’ and limit its
meaning to the idea of endlessness. Of course, it will never end, and that is
wonderful to know. But the meaning of the adjective ‘eternal’ includes much
more. We can think of it in this way. If the words were ‘human life’, how would
we describe the life intended? We would produce a list of all the features that
compose authentic human life. Or if the words were ‘Scottish life’, we would
have a list detailing the many qualities that compose our national existence.
We would not say that Scottish life is only found in a certain geographical
area of the world. In a far higher sense, eternal life is far more than endless
existence. It also includes an infinite range of spiritual blessings. So what
is eternal life like?
To begin with, we can make some observations
about how this life comes to us. First, it is the type of life that God experiences
– God gives out of himself when he gives life to us. This means that it is
spiritual life. Second, the place where God has located this life is in his
Son. In this regard Jesus is like a secure bank where spiritual riches are
stored safely. Third, Jesus conveys all features of this God-given life to his
people. This is true today and will be the case in the new heavens and earth as
well. By the Spirit, Jesus gives life continually to his people.
What makes our daily existence into life? Many
answers could be given, but here are five suggestions: security from danger,
social interaction or living in a community marked by mutual love, freedom to
develop, a sense of peace and satisfaction, and joy from future prospects as
well as from current experiences. Do Christians have these features of life day
by day? Do they enjoy Life?
Security from danger.
Is there an enemy that can prevent them having eternal life? Their enemies are
sin, the world and the devil. There will be spiritual battles, even wounds, but
no one or nothing can take them out of God’s grip. They have security, even
although they are not yet in heaven.
Social interaction or living in a community
marked by mutual love. The community of which they are members is the
family of God. In this world, there are occasional fall-outs within the family,
yet in the main it is marked by brotherly love expressed in shared prayer and
care. Further, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit also live within this community
and spread God’s love throughout it.
Freedom to develop:
there are some countries in which citizens are not free to go where they wish
or improve their own knowledge. In the spiritual country in which God’s people
live, they can go where they wish within God’s inheritance and extend their
understanding of God’s divine provisions and intentions, with Jesus himself as
their guide.
Sense of peace and satisfaction:
This awareness of security, experience of love and opportunities for spiritual
development bring about within their souls peace and contentment. They are
experiencing what they are made for as the peace of God is given to them by
Jesus.
Joy from future prospects as well as from current
experiences. In addition they receive from God, through his
Word, great assurances about the future. As they scan the distant horizon,
using the telescopes of God’s promises, they see a future bright with the glory
of God. This expectation, combined with their present enjoyment, leads to joy
unspeakable and full of glory.
Those five features are known in a measure in
this world, and will be experienced in their fullness in the eternal state.
This life is given to believers in Jesus. But note the awful
straightforwardness of John’s words in verse 12: ‘Whoever has the Son has life;
whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.’ It’s as simple as
that, and one day, when Jesus returns, the division will be even clearer than
it is today.
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