Work Shop Eternal Life

Eternal life is the central message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contrary to popular opinion, eternal life is not the same as Heaven. Eternal life is a kind of life. Heaven is a place.color="#000000"> There are two kinds of life: flesh and blood life, and the Life of God. Flesh and blood life is a temporary kind of life, subject to corruption, and cannot possibly enter the Kingdom of God Kingdom of God. Eternal life is eternal, is not subject to corruption, and is an aspect of the Kingdom of God Kingdom of God.

Eternal life can be experienced in degrees. There is life, and then there is more abundant life. Paul told Timothy, who certainly was saved and had a portion of eternal life, to lay hold on eternal life.

We must remember that one of the supreme goals of the Christian salvation is the redemption, the adoption of our mortal body. This means that the same Holy Spirit we have now will make alive our body at the coming of the Lord. This is a goal held before us. As Paul says, we must lay aside all else that we may attain the resurrection that is out from among the dead.

If we, as a Christian, insist on living in the sinful nature, we will not attain the resurrection that is out from among the dead, the first resurrection, the resurrection to life and glory. We shall be held over to the second resurrection and receive the reward of our works.

Primary Scriptures

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

When we receive Christ as our Savior we are given a portion of eternal life. Then the fight is on. Death and life struggle each day for mastery over us.

If we do not observe the commandments of Christ and His Apostles, if we do not live as a Christian should, then we are not undergoing the process of deliverance from sin. Then we are in danger, as in the parable of the sower, of losing the life that had been given to us.

Suggested References

Death or Life?; Eternal Life; Laying Hold on Eternal Life

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic. 2

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

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