Eternal Life starts now and lasts forever
Eternal life refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin. The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too what-is-eternal-life).
Receiving the gift of life by faith (Romans 4)
1. Contrast the ideas of working for a wage (Romans 4:1-8) or privileged upbringing (Romans 4:9-15) and receiving a promised gift through faith (Romans 4:16-25). What truth about faith do you get in reading Romans 4:18-19?
2. What aspects of the promise in Romans 4:16-17 would you like to learn more about? Consider using the index in the back of your Bible to look up these terms.
3. Hebrews 11:1-7 introduces faith in the context of God’s faithfulness in history, creation, and future events. Why is it impossible to please God without faith?
God’s mercy gift for you (Titus 3:3-7)
4. What distinctive roles does the Father, Son, and Spirit play in giving us Eternal Life?
5. How will you ask God to receive this gift today?
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