Eternal life is a central tenet of Christian theology, representing the life that believers are promised through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not merely an unending existence but a quality of life that begins in the present and continues into eternity, characterized by a relationship with God. The concept of eternal life is deeply rooted in the Scriptures and is a promise that saints are encouraged to actively pursue and lay hold of.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of eternal life is woven throughout the New Testament, with Jesus Christ Himself affirming its availability to those who believe in Him. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). This passage underscores the immediacy of eternal life for the believer, indicating that it is not merely a future hope but a present reality.

Exhortation to Lay Hold of Eternal Life

The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistles, exhorts believers to actively pursue and lay hold of eternal life. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12). This exhortation suggests that while eternal life is a gift from God, it requires an active response from the believer. The imagery of a fight implies diligence, perseverance, and intentionality in the pursuit of this divine promise.

Characteristics of Eternal Life

Eternal life is characterized by a deep and abiding relationship with God, as well as a transformation of the believer's life. Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, defines eternal life as knowing God: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (John 17:3). This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, involving a personal and intimate connection with the Creator.

Furthermore, eternal life is marked by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will. Paul writes to the Romans, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life" (Romans 6:22). Here, eternal life is linked with sanctification, indicating that it is both a present experience and a future hope.

The Role of Faith and Obedience

Faith is the means by which believers receive the gift of eternal life. The Apostle John emphasizes this in his first epistle: "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12). Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to possessing eternal life, and it is through Him that believers are granted access to this divine promise.

Obedience to God's commandments is also integral to laying hold of eternal life. Jesus Himself links obedience with eternal life, stating, "If you want to enter life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17). While salvation is by grace through faith, the evidence of genuine faith is a life of obedience and submission to God's will.

Conclusion

Eternal life is a profound and transformative promise that believers are called to lay hold of through faith, obedience, and a deep relationship with God. It is both a present reality and a future hope, offering a life of abundance and communion with the Creator. Saints are encouraged to pursue this promise with diligence, recognizing that it is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.1 Timothy 6:12,19
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That the Saints Lose Nothing in Losing Temporal Goods.
... Book I. Chapter 10."That the Saints Lose Nothing ... so long despised these verbal
admonitions should receive the ... they may lay hold on eternal life." [57] They ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 that the saints lose.htm

The Life of God
... the texts which speak of life, and eternal life, if we ... That is to lower God's saints
in our own eyes. ... perfect, and like perfectly the everlasting life, then we ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon iii the life of.htm

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... of God, which shall overflow all the saints' graces in ... was the Father's will, that
he should lay down his ... to die for them, that thou give eternal life to whom ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm

Of the Three Kinds of Things There are in the World; viz. , Good ...
... proved by this fact; viz., that the saints not only ... of God, and obtained the reward
of eternal life, as the ... and honours and powers of this world, should not be ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the three.htm

Justification by Faith.
... so, that day it was offered through the eternal Spirit a ... Therefore learn of the saints,
or rather of the Spirit ... are such as these: "I lay down my life, that you ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/ix justification by faith.htm

Faith
... you to live a holy life, and make your eternal salvation as ... and if once more the
fires consumed the saints to ashes ... and yet does not lead a holy life, he makes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/faith.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... to sin or apostatize, lest they should be lost ... of the exhortations and warnings given
to the saints:". ... fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

All of Grace
... The saints, when they come to die, never conclude their ... was bound to do; and so,
if God should have rewarded ... grace, and to bestow on him eternal life; else it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/all of grace.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... It is not God's will that His ministers should seek to ... come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life." 1 Timothy ... but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

Letter xi. --For 339. Coss. Constantius Augustus ii, Constans I ...
... that he may break the rank of the saints, and cause ... good fight of faith; lay hold
on eternal life.' And, exercise ... for it hath the promise of the life that now ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xi for 339 coss constantius.htm

What did Jesus mean when He promised an abundant life? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of life? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a difference between the book of life and the Lamb's book of life? | GotQuestions.org

Life: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus