We often emphasize that "eternal life" is the happy privilege of all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. How true and wonderful this is! This is the "fact" that through "faith" in the finished work of Christ on the cross, the vilest sinner can be saved! (Eph. 2:8-9) However, we often seem to neglect the "effects" that eternal life has on the believer.
What does it mean to have everlasting life? Are there changes in the attitudes and actions of one who through faith in Christ has received "eternal life?" Passing from death unto life is such a tremendous truth that it should have a resounding effect on our lives. We often try to visualize "life after death." What happens right after we die? Well, to the believer, it is "absent from the body, and present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8). However, we realize that before Christ came into our lives, we were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). When we believed the truth of the gospel, God "quickened" (made alive) us and gave us eternal life. We read in Ephesians 2:5-6 that,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
It is clearly taught in Scripture that before we were "saved by God's grace," we were "dead in trespasses and sins." Physical death is what we usually think of when we refer to "dying." It is true that "the wages of sin is death," and "it is appointed unto men once to die." However, death is referred to in several ways in the Scriptures. For example, the Scriptures speak of individuals being dead while they live (l Tim. 5:6). That is, they are "dead to Christ," but not dead with Christ! Then, the wonderful truth becomes clear,
"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that, we shall also live with Him:" (Rom. 6:8)
Further we are admonished,
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:11)
It is this "newness of life," from the deadness of sin that produces the "eternal life" that we possess the moment we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. Now, again, what is the meaning of this to the believer? The eternal life, a gift from God, is a fact, but what about the "act" of "fact"?
It is important to see that this eternal life that God gives us by His grace is a present possession. Notice the statement of our Lord:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
This present position and possession of eternal life will be ultimately consummated as stated in Colossians 3:2-4,
"Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
This "eternal life" is not only a present possession, but it is an eternal position. We are informed in Philippians 3:20-21:
"For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself
Think of this! The saved sinner is a "heavenly citizen!" The instant a person truly receives Christ as Saviour, his or her citizenship is recorded in heaven! The apostle Paul is led to state this truth in these terms in Ephesians 2:5-7,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
This is the "blessed assurance" of the believer!
Not only is the "eternal life" our present possession, our present position, but it is also our present protection. This life, this eternal life that He has so freely given to the believer, and the full realization or acceptance of it, guards the child of God from falling for every false doctrine that arises. Colossian 2:6-8 is not only a warning to the believer, but instruction in how to live for Him in this wonderful eternal life.
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught; abounding therein with thanksgiving."
Finally, the eternal life we have as His children, should have a wonderful and lasting effect on our lives. We need to realize and accept the fact of present, eternal life, given to us by God through Christ. Eternal life should produce "sound minds" to know and appreciate the values that are eternal. This great truth of the present reality of eternal life produces in the believer "what sunshine does for stained glass windows."
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and an persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)
We have seen previously that eternal life is a present position and protection to one who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is completely by the death of Christ on the Cross. It is not by our good works whether religious or secular (Eph.2:8-9). Eternal life is in the "here" as well as the "hereafter."
Seeing and believing this wonderful truth, we should not neglect the "effects" that eternal life has on the believer. Are there changes in the attitudes and actions of one who has received eternal life?
First, knowing one has eternal life should have an effect on one's "personal" life. We have to believe and accept the devastating life of the past. Ephesians 2:1-3 states:
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind: and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
This life before we were saved is called the "old man" in Colossians 3:1. Some of the characteristics of the "old man" are anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication. There are many more too numerous to mention. However, when a person trusts the Lord for salvation, he or she becomes a "new" person in Christ!
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told that,
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new."
Notice the emphasis on the "new creation" and that "old things are passed away." The "old man" has nothing to look forward to but death. The "new man" now has eternal life and looks forward to an eternity in the presence of the Lord! Again, it must be stressed that eternal life is a present possession and should make a great change in our attitudes and actions while we live on this earth.
This realization of present possession of "eternal life" should have an effect on our "spiritual" life as well as our "personal" life although they are closely related. An eternal connection with the Lord should be accompanied by a spiritual communion with Him. Communion basically involves fellowship. Fellowship with whom? 1 John 1:3 states,
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
We must have "communion" with the One who has given us eternal life. This communion or fellowship is through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. (Rom. 8:26-27) Communion involves communication. We have to have God's eternal life before we can have God's learning. The Scripture is clear that the "natural" man (devoid of eternal life) cannot understand the truth of God's Word.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The realization of our eternal life gives the believer a yearning for learning. Learning more about this wonderful "eternal life" is a wonderful journey! This journey includes communion with the Lord who constantly and consistently loves us. Communion involves worship. One must have "eternal life" before one can worship the eternal God. We are told in Philippians 3:3,
"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
This spiritual worship or communion should include:
Reading and studying God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15)
Prayer or communicating with God (1 Thess. 5:17)
Fellow shipping with believers (Heb. 10:25)The full realization that eternal life is a present result of having trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour brings stability and soundness to the child of God. This results in sound values, sound minds, and real security to the believer. Let's remember that the Scripture says,
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13)
It is a Scriptural fact that before we can live with and for the Lord, we must first die with Him! It was the apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of God, who wrote,
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)
Then, we read in Romans 6:8,
"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe we shall also live with Him."
We have seen this is fact-that the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has everlasting life as the gift of and from God! How is the believer to act "with eternity's values in view?" Natural life can be a wonderful experience, but because of the sin nature and its results, this natural life is not always so wonderful. However, with "eternity's values in view," life takes on a new perspective. The Scriptures advise us to:
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:2)
Natural life has the earth in view. Eternal life has heaven in view. Natural life mainly has self in view, whereas eternal life has the Saviour in view. With "eternity's values in view," we can better serve our heavenly Father and be of service while living on earth. We must constantly keep in mind that our Lord came to earth, died on a cross, but went back to heaven. Ephesians 1:19-23 says,
"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Knowing and believing this wonderful truth, or rather believing and knowing this glorious truth, enables us it to keep looking up." Humanly and humorously, it has been said, "Keep looking up, especially when there is only mud under your feet." "With eternity's values in view," we can see more clearly the tasks or work that is at hand. Surely, it gives a stronger desire to learn more, live better, and love stronger.
The more we look at the things of the world, the more we see Satan's work. After all, Satan is the god of this world system or the "age" in which we live.
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, less the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them." (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
One of the main works of the devil is to blind people so they cannot see the work of the Lord and believe the gospel of God's grace. Also, that blinding work of the devil also affects the believer. It keeps the child of God from "remembering" that the Lord has redeemed him or her from the penalty of sin. In other words, it affects our sight. Note carefully what God led Peter to write in 2 Peter 1:8-9:
"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from the old sins."
Also note, it is said of this blindness, "he cannot see afar off." In other words, the believer being blind of God's work in saving his soul, cannot have "eternity's values in view!"
In the context of these verses in 2 Peter, the believers were told to add to their faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (verses 5-7). These are "spiritual vitamins" to enable us to see what's ahead! It is possible for a person to know they are saved, know how they were saved, know from what they were saved, but not know why they were saved. Sometimes a person can be like the little bird that flies backward and only sees where he has been, but not much about where he is going.
We have seen that the eternal life God so freely gives to those who trust Him for salvation is a precious reality, a present protection, a permanent position. All of these should have a prevailing effect on our values in daily life. For example, the believer should have a "sound mind" in spiritual and earthly matters. This can only be accomplished if we have our thinking and decisions based on "sound doctrine." This sound doctrine or teaching can only be found in God's Word and teaching based thereon. This is especially vital when we are warned in 2 Timothy 4:3-4,
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
One of the attributes of eternal life is that of a "sound mind." We read in 2 Timothy 1:7,
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Out of a "sound mind" comes "sound words" based on "sound doctrine." This truth can be used in the life and experience of the child of God to convince the unsaved of their great need of the Saviour. Paul, writing to his son in the faith, said in Titus 1:9,
"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."
It should go without saying that "with eternity's values in view," our lives will be more "wholesome" and useful. We will be more able to think and act with more stability and steadfastness. The amusing story is told of a young man who lost his job in the orange juice plant-he couldn't concentrate! When our thinking goes astray we should remember to KEEP LOOKING UP!
We have seen previously that presently and positionally, we have eternal life because we have trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour. The more we continue to trust Him and give Him pre-eminence as the Lord Jesus Christ, the more this eternal life becomes a reality to us. The more we keep "eternal" values in view, the less burdensome and bothersome the cares of the world become. When we realize that scripturally and spiritually, we have been made "new creations" in Christ Jesus and that "old things have passed away," it helps us to see what eternity holds in store for all believers!
"Therefore if any many be in Christ, He is a new creature; old things are passed away: Behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:17-18)
When we see that by God's grace and power we have become "new creations" in Christ Jesus, then it is easier to have the "new heavens" and "new earth" in view. When we can see and believe what Romans 8:18 teaches:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
we can surely keep "eternity's values in view." We all experience the "sufferings of this present time." These "sufferings" of the present include vainness (vanity), groaning, and travailing (with the old creation) bondage (lack of liberty), and no hope.
However, the eternal life that God gives enables us to see beyond "this vale of tears" and fully realize that,
"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:21)
The full and fulfilling realization that a believer has eternal life affects our personal life and our prayer life. The apostle Paul's prayer as recorded in Ephesians 1:15-23 was principally concerned with his expectations of a heavenly life.
"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." (Eph. 1:15-18)
Verse 18 of this prayer is especially significant. It concerns and emphasizes the eternal salvation that God gives to those who trust the Lord Jesus Christ. We shouldn't take advantage of the "gift." We should recognize the change that has taken place in our lives. We have "passed from death unto life." To have "passed from death unto life implies a change from one place to another. It also implies a change from one person to another. That is, from Satan to the Saviour. The writer visited a rest home to visit an elderly brother. The attendant at the front office said, "Oh, he has "passed." I knew what she meant, whether she did or not. It could spiritually be said of a lost sinner when he or she accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, "they have passed." Romans 6:1-13 is a great teaching passage on death and life. It clearly teaches that those who believe are "baptized" into His death and raised unto a newness of life. It also emphasizes that believers "should walk in newness of life" (vs. 4). This "newness of life" includes and involves walking with "eternity's values in view." How wonderfully important Colossians 3:1-4 becomes!
Our theme throughout these lessons has been that "eternal life" is not some "far distant hoped for possibility," but rather a present, permanent, position that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has by the marvelous, matchless grace of God. This truth is a scriptural "fact" that should determine our every act.
Often the question is asked, "Do you think a person could be saved and not know it?" Or conversely, could one be lost and not know it? These seem to be "foolish" thoughts or questions, but, in fact, they have tremendously important implications. A person could have been baptized in infancy or joined a church, thinking it was necessary for salvation or eternal life. Some even think they have "sinned away salvation" or committed the "unpardonable sin." There are numerous misconceptions why a person would not know whether they were saved or not. There is a familiar passage of Scripture in 1 John 5:9-13,
"If we receive the witness of man, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God has the witness in himself : he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in the Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
Verse 13 is the verse closely connected to our theme, "With Eternity's Values in View." This verse is often referred to as an assurance of our salvation. It surely does give us that assurance, however, it specifically says, "that ye may know that you have eternal life." Surely, "eternal life" and salvation are closely connected, however the stress is on "eternal life," and further that we may "know."
Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but how much do we "know" about the eternal life God has given to those who have believed? Knowledge is often defined as "the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association." However, simply stated, the real understanding of life and eternal life only comes through His Word. It is a wonderful experience to feel like a believer or even to rejoice in the eternal life God has so freely given, but we can only "know for sure" because He has declared it! The apostle John was led to write, " These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13)
The emphasis in this verse seems to be on the expression, "that ye may know that ye have eternal life." How can we "know" we have eternal life? The answer is, "this is the record" (vs. 11) and "These things have I written unto you" (vs. 13). It is recorded in God's Word! Therefore, we can know!
Having and knowing we have eternal life is a wonderful experience and feeling, but we "know" it because God says so. Knowing for sure we have eternal life will amplify the values of this life naturally and spiritually. The value we place on human life will increase, and our desire to see them redeemed will be greater.
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)
The Apostle Paul knew, when he wrote under inspiration,
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)
How
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Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
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