John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
1 John 1:1-2, … What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— [2] and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us …
1 John 5:11-12, And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. [12] He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. …
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The words “eternal life” are two the most misunderstood words tossed around by Christians. I thought for years that eternal life was something that I received when I prayed the prayer to receive Christ, which was basically forgiveness of my sins which gave me a place in heaven forever. It was really a chronological term to me, and I believe it is to most Christians. The idea of living forever in heaven is a wonderful one, and eternal life certainly includes that, but if you read the verses I listed you will notice that eternal life is so much more than that. Eternal life is the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. As a matter-of-fact, eternal life is Jesus, and our union with him which will go on forever. Eternal life is about a quality-of-life, and not primarily about time. It is being in union with the very life of Christ. To be in Christ is to have eternal life, and to experience the life of Christ as your very life, being lived out through you is what eternal life is all about. This life, described as abundant life, is God’s free gift to us the moment we become Christians. Eternal life is the great breakthrough that so many Christians are longing for. To be in Christ is the fullness; is the victorious life; is the supernatural life that people are going after. You cannot get more, and you need never settle for less than the wonders of eternal life. Go back and read the Gospels, particularly the gospel of John, with this understanding of what eternal life is, and your mind will be blown. It is “life on the highest plane.” It is life “seated in the heavenly places.” It is “reining in life” through the One Christ Jesus. He who has the HAS THE LIFE. Stop Looking for in It, and Start Celebrating a Him.