One of the most familiar passages of scripture is John 3:16. It says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Traditionally, this verse has been used to teach that Jesus came and died for our sins so that we wouldn't perish. All true but, His real purpose was to die for us in order that we might have eternal life. Eternal life is the real message of the gospel. If this is indeed true, let's examine what that means.
John 17:3 says that eternal is knowing God and Jesus Christ. Eternal life is NOT missing hell or just going to heaven. Listen, missing hell and going to heaven are both wonderful, but they're not eternal life.
John 3:36 says, He that believes on the Son has everlasting life. That means that eternal life can be a present tense position and a present tense possession. It's not something that's going to take place in the future, but it's a present reality for all who receive Christ. (See 1 John 5:13).
John 17:3 uses the word "know." eternal life is to "know" God and Jesus Christ. The word "KNOW" is used throughout scripture to describe the most intimate, personal relationship that a person can have. This intimacy is similar to that in the marriage relationship. We could say then the real purpose of the salvation is to have intimacy -- a personal relationship with God and His Son.
With all this in mind we can conclude at least two things. First, eternal life is available now (1 Jn 5:13; Jn 3:36). Second, the quality of our relationship with God is the goal. The early church had such a quality relationship with God that was so dynamic that there're actual accounts of Roman soldiers who were so moved that they would give their lives to Christ knowing that they were going Ro be put to death with those who possessed this eternal life.
Jesus summed it up best when He said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly Jn 10:10.
QUESTION: Is it possible we're doing the gospel an injustice and a disservice by failing to properly explain the true meaning of eternal life?
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