“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel [f]of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV)
“As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.” (1 John 2:24-25 BSB)
“Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21 NKJV)
At first glance this question seems like a no-brainer. Obviously, I received eternal life when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Just like with natural reproduction, life began at conception.
While I am confident theologically that I already possess eternal life, in a practical sense I tend to live as though eternal life doesn’t kick in until after I die. So much of the emphasis within Christian circles is on the blessed hope of Heaven someday. It is easy to forget that I am in the Kingdom of Heaven today. I am constantly bombarded with messages that push the benefits of eternal life out into the “Sweet Bye and Bye.” So much of what I experience in the “Nasty Now and Now” pushes me further toward the idea that my only real hope is in a far off future home somewhere out there where all of today’s struggles will be a thing of the past.
While the hope of Heaven is a valid part of my Christian experience, it is far removed from the life and message of Jesus. When Jesus took on flesh and walked this Earth, He stressed the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. He even went so far as to say that the Kingdom is within me. He demonstrated a present tense form of eternal life that positively impacted every area of life today. He emphasized bringing Heaven to people now rather then just preparing them to go to Heaven later.
As I ask these three questions about eternal life, the third question is probably the most important to enjoying the eternal life that has been deposited within me. However, before I am able to fully answer question number three: “What, if anything, should I expect to be different in my experience of “eternal life” before and after the grave?” I need to have a firm grasp of what eternal life is, and when it begins. My current understanding is that eternal life is the “God – quality” of life that has been deposited within me. It started at spiritual conception when I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. At that moment I was born again, I became a brand new creation, the old man passed away, and I became a new species of being that never existed before. I was translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Heaven was deposited within me. I have been infused with eternal life which includes all of the life benefits of Heaven. Jesus called this quality of life “Abundant Life” (the very life essence of the Father).
There is definitely more to come, but for now let’s pause to ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 171: “Eternal Life: Don’t leave home without it.” Part 3: When does “eternal life” begin?