Eternal Life

We so easily think and therefore teach that eternal life is a period of time.

"After we die, we get to live forever." Isn't that how we usually present John 3:16?

But what about those who don't believe that Jesus died for their sins? They live forever, too. It's a painful eternity, suffering in hell. But they are still alive.

So is it a quality of life after death that we are to promote?

Look at something else that John wrote:

"...His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20b).

Eternal life isn't a period of time. Nor is it a quality of life.

Eternal life is a person.

John began this same letter the same way:

"...the life was made manifest and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you..." (1:2-3a).

John is not talking about a period of time. Or a quality of life. Or even a distinction between life and death.

You can't see or touch those. They can't be with the Father and revealed to us. They are abstract. John is talking about something concrete.

He's talking about Jesus.

The eternal life that we can have by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is Jesus Himself!

We can have fellowship with Him (1:3-4)

He is with us (Mt 28:18-20).

He gives us victory over sin (Rom 6:6).

He provides for us (Phil 4:19).

He promises resurrection (Rom 6:8-9).

And so much more!