Eternal life

• Eternal life is only for those who do God's will (Matthew 7: 21)-Not all people who sound religious are really godly.  They may refer to me as "LORD", but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.

This verse clearly states that in order for one to remain saved, they must be in submission to the Holy Spirit.  If we believe in God, and claim to be followers of Christ, but, our lives do not reflect Christ, we are found to be liars.  So, we must also live the way Christ lived.  We cannot continue to practice sin.

• The righteous will receive eternal life (Matthew 25: 46)-And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."

This verse describes the destiny of those who live righteously (in submission to the Holy Spirit).  They will receive eternal life in Christ Jesus.  They will reign in the Kingdom of heaven with their LORD and Savior.  But, those who do not, will receive eternal punishment (the second death) in hell along with Satan.

• Belief in Jesus is required for eternal life (John 3: 15-16)-so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

If we believe in Jesus, we are saved.  Our faith is necessary for salvation.  Without it we are lost.

• Evil people will receive eternal punishment (John 5: 28-29)-Don't be so surprised!  Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son, and they will rise again.  Those who have done good will rise to eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to judgement.

What this verse is saying is that evil people who do not repent of their sins, and continue to practice them, or die in them will one day have to go before God for judgement.  In their judgement the LORD will replay their lives to them like in a movie, and they will be found guilty.  The fact that they did not repent will be clearly seen, and they will cast into the lake of fire that burns with fire and sulfur.  This decision is forever, and cannot be undone.  They will not be able to come back out and live their lives all over.  They will not be able to do it differently next time, or get a second chance.

• Jesus came to give life (John 10: 10)-The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

What this verse is saying is that Satan is like a thief.  The only purpose he has on earth is to steal, kill, and destroy.  He is set completely against the LORD's creation.  The LORD's purpose in coming to earth was and is to give life in all its fullness to those who believe, and accept it.

• Jesus gives eternal life (John 11: 25)-Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.  

What he was explaining to Martha, is that death is not the end of the life of a person of faith.  They will rise and reign forever in God's kingdom.  Their souls are only resting until the appointed time.  

• Jesus is eternal life (John 14: 6)-Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father, except through me.

In this verse, we see that Jesus is the key to the kingdom of heaven.  In order for one to go to the Father, they must first have accepted, and received Jesus as their personal savior.  If they have not, they are not saved, and cannot go to the Father in heaven.

• Eternal life cannot be earned (Ephesians 2: 8-9)-God saved you by his special favor when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

What this verse is saying to us is that the LORD has chosen us to believe in him.  Faith is a gift from God.  Not everyone has it.  Not everyone believes in the LORD Jesus Christ.  Not everyone has the ability to understand His word, and believe.  It is a gift from God for those who are a part of the plan of salvation.  We cannot take credit for our faith.  He has given it to us.  Our salvation is not a reward.  It is not something that we have earned for being good, or have chosen on our own, but, that God has given us a special favor in that we are actually able to capture his Spirit, and existence in our lives everyday.  We are able to hear his word, understand it, receive it, and apply it to our lives through His help in the Holy Spirit.  Nothing we have done qualifies us for this.  Only by His choice and plan have we been able to hear, accept, and absorb the gospel.  To live by it.

• Eternal life comes from God (Titus 1: 2)-This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God has promised them before the world began-and He cannot lie.

God the Father has made a promise to those who believe that they will live eternally in heaven with Him.  This promise was made before the world began, because He knows everything before it happens, and He stands by His word.

• Eternal life gives us hope (Titus 3: 7)-He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness.  And now we know that we will inherit eternal life.  

Jesus' death on the cross actually paid the penalty of our sin.  His bloodshed was the atonement that we needed in order to become clean and blameless before God.  His bloodshed gives us entrance to the kingdom of God.  The moment we believe and accept Jesus as our savior, we become baptized by the Holy Spirit, and joint heirs in His kingdom.  This is what reconciles us to God the Father.  This is what gives us hope.

I hope this study is helpful in understanding eternal life promised to all who believe in Jesus and accept Him as their Savior.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Without faith, we will not see God.  We should submit to the Holy Spirit, and remain in Him.  He came to the world to shed light in dark places so that man could see the error of their sinful ways.  He was an example to us.  We should live the way that He lived.  Let us pray:  "Heavenly Father, I ask that you continue to give us strength to follow Jesus' example.  That we continue to submit to the Holy Spirit, and live for your plan and purpose.  Please help us to be more like you."  In Jesus' name we pray..Amen.