When we hear the phrase “eternal life”, there are two images that Christians have. The majority of Christians sadly have the wrong image. They think of eternal life being on the other side of this life, being something you get in Heaven. It’s like there is a big gap between us and eternal life and when we die we cross over this big gap and finally get some eternal life. Some Christians even believe that they need to earn eternal life as a Christian by behaving well and getting a good report from Jesus on their Christian life and then get into Heaven on that report. That is the exact opposite of the gospel.
What does the Word of God say?
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (1 John 4.15). The moment you declare and announce Jesus is the Son of God, God Himself lives in you! That’s eternal life.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5.24). If you hear the gospel, and believe in the Father, you have eternal life. Do not try and earn, and do not wait for eternal life – you already have it! You have had it since you heard and believed and declared!
The truth is that the moment we get saved, we have eternal life. Our spirit is transformed into one spirit with Christ and the substance of that spirit – the stuff it is made out of – is eternal life. We are one with Christ, that is what I am trying to get through to everyone in this series on identification. I don’t need to earn or wait for eternal life, I have it right now – I have all of it right now. I have the same portion of eternal life as Jesus Christ has – that’s my identity and my identification.
You are now made of the same substance as God! You are one with Him! Yes, when you die, you will go to a place called Heaven, you will go to be with Jesus, but right now – you are in Heaven and right now you are with Jesus! That’s some good news right there!
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