Wondering about Eternal Life?

Eternal Life Defined John 17:2-3 [1]
God created you to know him, enjoy him and live with him forever, in an intimate, personal, relationship of love. This reality is spoken of as Eternal Life.

Jesus said in John 17:3 [2]:"Now this is ETERNAL LIFE: that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

Therefore eternal life is knowing God
This "knowing" is an intimate sharing of God's life, promised in the New Covenant (Jer 31:34 [3]; Heb 8:11 [4]) This sharing with God is participation in eternal life through Christ, who is eternal life, and it is not detachable from him. Therefore Eternal life is not a thing, It is not a status, it is not a changed life, or extended life though it involves these. Eternal life is the Eternal One, living His own unique life -The life of the SonJesus Christ) in me.

"The, life appeared, we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the Eternal Life, which was with the Father, and has appeared to us." (1 John 1:2 [5])

Eternal life is Jesus Himself and not detachable from Him
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God, does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12 [6])

When I as a sinful creature, commit myself to the creator, who has promised to be my saviour through Christ's death on the cross for me. Then at that point of self-surrender to God, in Christ, God gives himself, in love to me. (John 14:23 [7]: Acts 2:38 [8])

That is, I receive the gift of the Spirit. I am born of the Spirit and born again; Christ is born in me. (John 13:50 [9]) God totally indwells me by His Spirit. For this really is Christ in you. (Romans 8:9-10 [10]: Gal 4:6 [11]: Col 1:27 [12])

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, (commits himself to me) he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him (give himself to him) and we, (Father and Jesus) will come to him and make our home with him (indwell him)" John 14:23 [7]

The act of indwelling Jesus had previously said would be achieved by the residence of the Spirit. "But you know Him, for he lives with you and will be with you" John 14:17 [13]

Therefore Eternal Life is the Eternal Son personally living in me through the Spirit
"…And we are in him who is true- even in his son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20 [14])

The Christian Hope
We can be sure of our salvation
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11, 12-13 [15])

As in the past the owners seal on felled logs floating in the harbour, or the wax seal on official documents indicates ownership, so the presence in our lives of the Holy Spirit, is God's seal or sign of ownership, of divine possession - WE ARE HIS!

" and you also were included in Christ, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." (Eph 1:13-14 [16])

We can be sure of our resurrection
As a "deposit" off a total debt of money, given to confirm a contract. The presence of the Spirit in our life is the guarantee of all the promises of God in Christ. (2 Cor 5:4-5 [17]) in particular the promise of final deliverance from mortality in the resurrection of the body. We shall be just like Him. (1 John 3:2 [18])

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed". (1 Cor 15:51-52 [19])

So how do I experience this eternal life and become a believer?
A believer is someone who has put their faith and trust, in the truth about Jesus Christ and then lives their life in obedience to Him.

The Truth
Jesus Christ is God
God is a trinity of persons: Father Son and Holy Spirit, the Creator of the Universe.

He came in the flesh
He became a human being and lived on this earth

He died on a cross
He died to pay the penalty for our sins was buried and on the third day physically rose again.

He ascended
Jesus went back to heaven and will return for his bride, the church, at the resurrection and will rule and reign on this earth.

To experience forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life that He offers as a free gift I must:
Repent
Choose to turn away from my sin, quit living a life that displeases God and turn to God in obedience.

Is that the choice of my life?

Believe
Believe the truth as set out above and that through who he is and what he has done for me, He is the only one who can forgive my sins and give me eternal life-a relationship with my creator God.

Do I?

Receive
In faith expressed through prayer, ask God to forgive my sins and by His Holy spirit come into my life and give me His Eternal life.

Have I?

Be baptised
Then to publicly declare this faith through being identified with Christ in Believer's Baptism.
Showing through baptism that:
1. As He died for the forgiveness of my sins so I'm dying to my sin/rebellion and trusting Him to forgive me.
2. As he was buried so I'm burying (separating from) the old life and trusting Him to (wash me) make me clean.
3. As he rose again by the power of the Spirit, so I'm rising to a new life in the power of God through the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Will I?

Prayer of Faith
Almighty God and loving Heavenly Father, I turn from living independently of you.I trust Jesus' death on the Cross to forgive my sin and I invite your Holy Spirit to come into my life forgiving my sin and give me the gift of your eternal life in Jesus' name. Amen