Eternal Life

<<never-ending paradise>>

Often called heaven, this next-life existence with God and all who love Him is the perpetual state of believers (genuine Christians). There will be no death, sickness, or evil present and it is typified by joyful worship and service to God, in contrast with eternal damnation where those who reject God’s offer of salvation are separated from God and punished (Mt 22:30; Jn 14:2,3; 2 Thes 1:8,9; Rev 21:4, 22:3).

This heavenly existence is exclusively prepared for those who repent of their sins and by accepting God’s offer of salvation have “crossed over from death to life” becoming “new creations…set free from sin” and given the right to be called His sons and daughters (Jn 1:12, 3:15,16, 5:24, 10:28; Rom 6:22, 10:9,10; 2 Cor 5:17). This involves more than just saying the sinner’s prayer, then continuing in the

Have I passed from death to life – John 5:24

same ungodly lifestyle as before, for not all who claim to be Christians will be in Heaven but only those who love and obey God and show mercy to others (Mt 7:21-23, 25:31-48; Mk 12:30,31; Lk 10:25-28; Heb 5:9). Jesus is the only way to reach Heaven, and by intimately knowing Him, we have assurance of eternal life (Jn 14:6, 17:3; Act 4:12; 1 Jn 5:11-13).

Although we can’t earn the gift of salvation, its acceptance should be evident in the lives of those who are truly saved – as a changed lifestyle with a different motivation, doing good works and having a true love for others (Mt 3:8, 5:16; Lk 6:44; Jn 5:39,40; Eph 2:8-10, 6:6; Tit 2:12; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 4:7,8).

By making God’s claims on your life more important than anything else, through “working out your own salvation with fear and trembling…making your election and calling sure”, you will also experience earthly life in its richness besides eternal life (Mt 10:39; Lk 18:29,30; Jn 10:10, 12:25; Phil 2:12; 2 Pet 1:10).