Preachers who fail to put it all together, carefully considering every scripture that deals with the subject of eternal life, will often cite texts like John 3:36 to “prove” a believer’s eternal life begins the moment of conversion. That text reads: “He that believeth on the Son hath (present tense, has right now) everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (King James Version). They read right over and never realize what Jesus was saying when He also said, “Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming (sometime in the future) in the which all that are IN THE GRAVES (not in heaven, or hell, or limbo, or purgatory) shall hear His voice (yes, at that time and not a moment before), and shall come forth (from their graves), they that have done good (a given for all truly converted sons and daughters of God) unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil (a term befitting all unconverted persons), unto the resurrection of damnation (a poor translation of the Greek word krisis, as the word there should be “judgment” or “decision”).” (See John 5:28-29).
Here’s another text they overlook: “And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY (and give that formerly DEAD person eternal life at that moment)” (See John 6:40, King James Version).
Again, ” Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY” (John 6:54). In the following verses of John 6 Jesus explains that to eat His flesh and drink His blood means to dwell in Him, to live by Him, to continue in close, unbroken fellowship with Him. Just as food and drink sustains one’s physical life, likewise unbroken fellowship and obedience to the Lord sustains one’s spiritual life.
“God..will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life (will be given or awarded)” (See Romans 2:6-7). Yes, it’s a future thing. I am NOT immortal right now. I am not enjoying eternal life right now. It’s as good as mine right now, though, IF I continue on submitted to the Lord and allow Him to continually do good in and through my life. “But now being made free from sin (I no longer have to give in to the pulls of the flesh and sin), and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, AND THE END (or end result) EVERLASTING LIFE” (See Romans 6:22).
“For bodily exercise profits little (one does profit to some degree in getting physical exercise), but godliness is profitable in all things (in all areas), having promise of the life that now is (the physical life we now enjoy can be enhanced by divine healing), and of that WHICH IS TO COME (the eternal life and immortality we are granted following our resurrection)” (See I Timothy 4:8).
And notice how Paul opens his letter to Titus: “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after (or in accord with) godliness; IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, which God that cannot lie PROMISED before the world began.” (See Titus 1:1-2). And Titus 3:7 reads, “being justified by His grace, we should be made HEIRS according to the HOPE of eternal life.” I am an heir to eternal life. This is my hope in Christ Jesus. I have NOT yet inherited that life, but it is as sure as the rising of tomorrow’s sun IF I continue on with the Lord.
Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley